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OMFG! A Gossip Girl Soundtrack: Duh

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:30:45 -0700

My question is: What took them so long? I kid, but honestly, you knew a Gossip Girl soundtrack had to be coming because a) that's what good teen dramas do, and b) the show is as good at music as it is at one-liners.

So, the first Gossip Girl soundtrack has been compiled by The O.C.'s former music supervisor, Alexandra Patsavas (you know how I feel about her). OMFGG — Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl No. 1's 13 tracks will hit record store shelves near you on Oct. 28, and the album's also available online right now. It's generally a pretty good overview of the show's music, though it doesn't have the memorable "U.R.A. Fever," the song that's playing when Serena admits to murder.

The good folks of GG are also launching an entire site devoted to music on the show. I'm pretty excited for that site myself, because I rarely watch an episode without doing some searching for lyrics I heard.

Are you on your way to download the soundtrack? Are you excited for the new music site? I've got the track list after the jump — and super bonus Buzz respect and admiration goes to anyone who can figure out which song was played in which OMG moment last season. To check it out, just

Song of the Day: Jenny Lewis, "The Next Messiah"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:40 -0700

If you're eager to hear Jenny Lewis's forthcoming album, then you — and I — are in good company. Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard's also ready for Acid Tongue to hit stores, and in a series of YouTube sketches over the past few days, he's been stalking Lewis around her house, demanding to hear some new songs.

Lucky for us, it's hard to say no to Gibbard, so Lewis has rolled out the second track from the new album (we've already heard the title track, "Acid Tongue"). "The Next Messiah" is a lot of things I'm not used to hearing from Lewis. For one, it's just a lot of song – more than eight minutes, in fact, with several long jam sessions interspersed between the singing. It's bluesy at times, funky at others, and there's a cool shift just after the five-minute mark, when the male backing vocals really kick in and Lewis's voice gets a lot more raw and desperate. On my initial listen, I like the track, but I think it will come alive a lot more in live shows, when the band can really let loose and just rock.

To hear the song for yourself, just

Song of the Day: Sonya Kitchell, "For Every Drop"

BuzzSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:30:41 -0700

I first heard this song a few days ago, and I enjoyed it, so I played it a few more times. Then I was kinda addicted and couldn't stop playing it and now I wake up with it in my head. I had never heard Sonya Kitchell's stuff before recently, but I'm pretty sure I'll add her new album, This Storm, to my collection; it just hit stores this week.

Kitchell's only 19 years old, but her voice and her sound are pretty mature. She's got this nice, throaty voice that reminds me of Dido, but a little sultrier. I often think of music in terms of what movie it would work well in (it's just where my mind goes), and "For Every Drop," with its fast pace and these dark, ominous overtones could probably work in a thriller. To hear it for yourself,

Buzz Brainteaser

BuzzSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:30:53 -0700

Welcome to Buzz Brainteaser, the trivia feature on BuzzSugar! Every weekday I'll test your knowledge about TV shows, music, and movies. If you enter in the correct answer, you win points! Yeah! Labor Day!
The 1981 song "Working for the Weekend" is by what band?
Source

Singer to Watch: Yelle

BuzzSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

Hey, wasn't I just talking about songs with lyrics I don't understand? My lovely friend Bella sent this adorable French electropop artist my way and implored me to check her out. And holy wow, I can't stop listening (or looking, for that matter!). Her name is Yelle and she's becoming a pretty big deal in France already. I'm not sure she has any cross-over plans in the near future, but I'm going to help her start her US takeover campaign right now by posting a video for her song "Ce Jeu."

She is apparently quite witty with her words, so if any of your high school or college French comes back as you're listening and you want to translate, please do so in the comments! As for me, this is one time when I can just smile and enjoy this tune's infectiousness. To check out the video,

Variety Women's Impact Report: Erykah Badu

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:45:13 -0700

Like Marketa Irglova, whom I also featured, Badu made Variety's report in the Defying Convention category. The paper's profile of her tells the story of a singer who first seemed destined to be a traditional R&B star but soon started showing signs of being anything but mainstream. As the profile tells it, she all but faded away completely (save for one Frustrated Artist Tour) before bursting back onto the scene in February with an album that seemed to get everyone talking.

New Amerykah, Pt. 1 (4th World War) shot Badu back into the spotlight, debuting on the Billboard charts at No. 2. It's far from straightforward, a compilation of words and sounds and imagery — much of which Badu recorded and mixed herself using Apple's GarageBand. That nontraditional process not only created but also inspired her music, so to hear more about Badu — and watch a video for her single "Honey" —

Love it or Leave It: Jessica Simpson's Duet with Dolly

BuzzSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:44:43 -0700

Jessica Simpson's gone country, y'all! As her debut country album careens toward a record store near you (check it out officially Sept. 9), we've heard some previews already — but now here's our first listen to Simpson's duet with Dolly Parton on the album's title track, "Do You Know?"There is no question how deep my love for Dolly runs, and in my opinion, her small parts on this duet outshine Simpson's vocals by about a mile. And as Idolator points out, if you listen to the lyrics closely, you realize they're singing about some pretty sexy times to each other, so that's a strange visual. Anyway, let's put it to a vote!
Source and Source

Love it or Leave It: Jessica Simpson's Duet with Dolly

Love it! Love Dolly, and Jessica holds her own!

Leave It! Oh my goodness, no.

Love the Dolly parts, leave the Jessica parts.

Other (I'll tell you below)

Estelle and Kid Rock Join List of Artists Saying No to iTunes

BuzzSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:30:48 -0700

There's an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today about a trend toward record companies pulling their artists' records from the iTunes Music Store — and/or avoiding iTunes altogether — because selling singles at Apple's mp3 store isn't always as profitable (or necessary) as people think. Kid Rock's latest album, Rock 'n Roll Jesus, was never sold on iTunes, for example, and he still managed to sell 1.7 million copies in the US alone. Estelle is on the same label as Rock, and after seeing how well his album has done, the label yanked hers from iTunes as well — even though she currently has one of the hottest singles of the Summer.

I naively thought the ailing music business had finally surrendered to the download. Now I'm not sure where I stand on all this. From an artistic perspective, I think some albums really are a total package, and it's a shame to pick them apart by only buying singles. That's why Jay-Z refused to sell his American Gangster album on iTunes last year, stating, "As movies are not sold scene by scene, this collection will not be sold as individual singles."

On the other hand, not all "collections" are a work of art. Do we really need to listen to Katy Perry's album front to back rather than picking and choosing what songs we like? I bet a lot of people are glad they could buy just "I Kissed a Girl" on iTunes rather than shelling out $10 or more to get that one song.

So what do you think? Is this smart on the part of record labels, and does it preserve the integrity of the album format? Or is this just delaying the inevitable? I have to say, as I scan my iTunes library, I sure have a lot of unrelated singles mashed together, which is really different from my CD book from the old high school and college days.

Source

First All-Female Hotel Cafe Tour Lineup Looks Awesome (and Affordable!)

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:33:50 -0700

For the past four years, the Hotel Cafe Tour has practically been a required gig for musicians on the road to breakout success (coincidentally, that same road often includes stops on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl, and, of course, Old Navy commercials). This year is unique because it's the first time the tour will have an entirely female lineup, sort of like a Lilith Fair for a new generation. What's even more exciting than the acts is how affordable it is — for the San Francisco show that I would like to attend the ticket price is $19!

Each city along the way will feature a handful of artists from the roster, which includes Rachael Yamagata, Ingrid Michaelson, Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Thao Nguyen, Brooke Fraser, Jenny Owen Youngs, Lenka, Emily Wells, and more. You can see who is playing in your city at the Hotel Cafe's MySpace page, which also says that tickets went on pre-sale "today."

For now, you can check out a little playlist I put together featuring artists from the tour if you

Is It Hard to Get Into Music That's Not in Your Own Language?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:30:37 -0700

I'm a fan of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós, and have especially enjoyed their newest album, Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust. But as much as I like them, they don't tend to get as much iPod love from me as other artists do, and I think it might be because I don't understand the lyrics to a lot of their songs (did you know the Icelandic language is a North Germanic language descended from Old Norse? I love Wikipedia).On the other hand, I'm not an English-or-nothing kind of woman by any means. There are non-English Bjork songs I dig, and the delicate songs on Yael Naim's album that are in French and Hebrew are fantastic, for example. What do you think? Is it more difficult to get into a band when you don't understand what they're singing about?Source

Is It Hard to Get Into Music That's Not in Your Own Language?

Yes — Lyrics are a huge part of what attracts me to a song.

No — Music is the universal language!

Sometimes — It really varies from band to band.

Other (I'll tell you below)

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:30:42 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainmentville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:

Not just Beyonce's little sister anymore: I posted the video for Solange Knowles's single "I Decided" a while back and now the entire album is available. This new album blends classic Motown melodies with elements that are little more far-out and groovy. I've already purchased "Would've Been the One" and "Sandcastle Disco." It's only on slower tracks that the album gets weak — the funky tempos, not her voice, make this album shine.

A sparkling duet: Remember when I told you about that really cute duet called "You Don't Know Me" by Regina Spektor and Ben Folds that's from his upcoming album? Well, now it's available on iTunes and remains extremely cute! Hurry up and get it while it's hot!

One more big, anticipated album and a new single up next so

Surviving the 2008 Outside Lands Music Festival

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:30:13 -0700

In theory, the Outside Lands Festival here in my little city by the Bay seemed like a lot of fun — especially since I didn't have to pay the exorbitant ticket prices ($250 for a three-day pass!). As such a gigantic concert in Golden Gate Park, it seemed like an experiment I should witness firsthand, like I might be a part of history or something.

The lineup for the weekend was impressive: Radiohead, Beck, Wilco, Regina Spektor, Tom Petty, Jack Johnson, Cake, The Walkmen, The Black Keys, and a bunch more. Then again, you'd have to have those cartoon speedy legs that turn into blurry wheels as they propel you forward at warp speed in order to actually see all the bands you'd like to see. The stages were pretty far apart, and there was a noticeable lack of helpful signs. On Friday I walked in the wrong direction for a while before doubling back toward the box office, and by the time I got my pass the only act I could catch was Radiohead. They were excellent — no complaints about the actual performances, really — but it was a lot of running around (literally), not to mention a royal pain in the neck dealing with the public transportation system, which was clearly overwhelmed by the multitudes of concertgoers.

Anyway, for the most part, I liked the concerts once I got to them. To check out some of my impressions,

U.S. Man Rocks the Air Guitar World Championships!

BuzzSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:29:57 -0700

This news is so fantastically funny to me for a variety of reasons. Firstly, air guitar. Secondly, air guitar world championships. Third: air guitar world championships in Finland. Finally, the champion this year is an American dude! Craig "Hot Lixx Hulahan" Billmeier beat out the two-year reigning champion, Japan's Ochi "Dainoji" Yosuke, for this year's top title. U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

Most hilarious, however, is this brief BBC News video about the championships in which a droll newscaster explains that in air guitar, "Long hair is optional, but jumping around and feverishly finger-picking at an imaginary guitar is not. Headbanging is in, but make sure your headband is secure. You don't have to get undressed, but the crowds seem to like it."

To watch the winning air guitar performances by our very own Hot Lixx,

Love It or Leave It: "Sweet Foxy Jane" by Tony Lucca

BuzzSugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:30:28 -0700

The name Tony Lucca may ring a bell for you, as it did for me because I was a pretty big fan of The Mickey Mouse Club when I was a kid. Lucca may have been on my secret list of mouseketeers to make my boyfriend one day (turns out I'm not alone). Ahem! Anyway, that's the hook that got my attention but all these years later it's his music that has the adult-me impressed. Like his fellow Mouse Club alumni, Lucca has been forging ahead in the entertainment biz for some time now and has settled into a genre of music that is reminiscent of '60s folk, and reminds me of current artists like James Morrison. I got a hold of a new track from his upcoming album Come Around Again called "Sweet Foxy Jane" and I really like it. It's upbeat but bluesy and makes me think of drinking whiskey. But I'll let you tell me what you think; take a listen and vote.

Source

Song of the Day: New Dido Song, "Look No Further"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:30:15 -0700

Did you kinda forget about Dido like I did? Well, I was reminded of her today when I learned the following things:

She's releasing a new album this November.
A track from the new album is available for download here, and it's great.

It's been five years since Dido released her last album and I'm really excited she's still out there, making pretty music for us to enjoy. This new track, "Look No Further," is a delicate, somewhat mournful lullaby-type song about all the adventures she might have taken in life and the people she could have met.

Hurry up and grab your MP3 — as they say, they'll run out by Sept. 7. What do you think? Are you looking forward to Dido's musical return?

Source

What Lyrics Have You Misheard?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:53:35 -0700

Misheard lyrics are pretty much always amusing, especially when more than a few people have misheard lyrics in the same way. Recently a poll was conducted in England by a hearing aid company to find out what the most commonly misheard lyrics are, and the results had the researchers "in stitches."

Of course, the results largely include lyrics from songs by UK bands, with The Police's "When The World Is Running Down" coming in at No. 1 ("you make the best of what's still around" is misheard as "you make the best homemade stew around"). Other oft-misheard songs include The Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" ("The girl with colitis goes by"), Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" ("will you do the banned tango?") and Oasis' "Wonderwall" ("you're gonna be the one at Sainsbury's").

Many of us know the Jimi Hendrix one ("'scuse me, while I kiss this guy") and of course, "hold me closer, tiny dancer" turns into "hold me closer, Tony Danza," depending on who you ask. I myself used to think the lyric from a Cranberries' song that goes "I'm such a fool for you" was "I'm searching fruit for you." You know, the age-old courting ritual of fruit-searching.

What lyrics have you misheard?

Source

Buzz In: What's the Best Concert You've Seen This Summer?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:15:25 -0700

Summer is a great time to hear live music — outdoors, if possible. Here in San Francisco, I'm eagerly looking forward to the inaugural Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival at the end of the month, where Iron and Wine, M. Ward, and Radiohead, among others, will be taking the stage.

I know some of you headed to Lollapalooza, and there have been tons of other major festivals already, from the Pitchfork Music Festival to Bonnaroo to All Points West. Tons of great artists play local clubs and big stadiums on solo tours, too: Ticket seller StubHub released its list of top-selling concert tours recently, and Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, and Kenny Chesney were among the big winners. So I'm wondering: If you've been seeing music this Summer, what's the best concert you've seen?

Source

Would a Free Sheryl Crow Album Make You Register to Vote?

BuzzSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:30:35 -0700

I ain't knocking the effort here — I think it's fantastic that so many celebrities use their fame to try and get people to care about things like presidential elections. And offering an incentive for registering to vote — as Sheryl Crow is offering a free digital copy of her album Detours — is a cool thing to do. That said, would a free Sheryl Crow album motivate you to register to vote (if you weren't already registered)? If not, whose album would be a good incentive?Source

Would a Free Sheryl Crow Album Make You Register to Vote?

Yeah, totally. Free album's a free album, and I like Sheryl Crow.

No, but an album from _____ would!

Nah, I don't care that much about getting any free album.

Other (I'll tell you below.)

How Do You Feel About Bootleg Concert Videos Online?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:30:22 -0700

Recently, NME reported that the members of Kings of Leon are dismayed when people take bootleg videos at their concerts because then their new stuff then ends up online before the album's release. Guitarist Matthew Followill said:

It's difficult when you make a new record and you wanna play all the new songs live. But with technology these days, there'll be someone out there with a recorder and it kinda spoils it for us. You don't wanna play too many new songs because otherwise they'll be on YouTube or something
. . . If it was up to us we'd play all the new songs because they're so fun to play.

What do you think about bootleg concert videos? Do you watch them? Do you avoid them? Source

How Do You Feel About Bootleg Concert Videos Online?

They're great; hearing new songs gets me excited for an album.

I avoid them. It makes it less fun to hear a new album.

I just think it's wrong when people post bootlegs from concerts, period.

Other (tell us below)

Song of the Day: "Keep Coming Back" by Marc Broussard

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:32:34 -0700

A while ago a friend sent me the video for Marc Broussard's low-down soulful song "Home," and I fell in love instantly. The video is beautifully shot; a loving portrayal of Broussard's southern journey, well, home. It's a catchy, percussive song that's made more emotional by Broussard's passionate vocals.

His next album, Keep Coming Back, is due to release Sept. 16 and I was able to get an early taste of the title track.

I gotta say, I'm really liking Broussard's stuff. He's undoubtedly talented and blessed with a powerful, sultry voice. "Keep Coming Back" is a soul-infused frenzy of horns, piano and a lively choral backup. I might like "Home" better as a song, but "Keep Coming Back" is more dancey and mood-lifting. To hear it for yourself,

Variety Women's Impact Report: Marketa Irglova

BuzzSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:15:42 -0700

Irglova made her grand entrance as a performer in Once, the 2006 film starring her and Glen Hansard as a pair of musicians who spent a week writing their own love story in song. But she made an even bigger splash at the Oscars, when she and Hansard won the award for Best Original Song. Hansard got to speak, but Irglova didn't, and she was initially ushered offstage. But then, in a moment that several of you called an Oscar favorite, Jon Stewart brought her back onstage, where she delivered a brief speech on the nature of hope and art.

Variety didn't get to speak with Irglova for the Impact Report story, but that one speech was enough to earn her a mention, so it's worth reproducing part of it here:

This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up.

Irglova and Hansard, who play music together as The Swell Season, are currently touring and are reportedly at work on another album. In the meantime, I highly recommend checking out this NPR interview with the two of them, which left me with an even greater appreciation for their music and their own love story.

You can watch Irglova's entire acceptance speech and a video of the two of them performing "Falling Slowly" live if you

The New My Morning Jacket Video Is Melting My Heart

BuzzSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:30:28 -0700

Awww! Talk about cute overload. The video for My Morning Jacket's "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. 2" (which is on their latest album, Evil Urges) is so insanely adorable and fits so well with the song, I can feel the cold cockles of my heart gradually warming. The video follows a super cute, wide-eyed fuzzy-wuzzy as he chases fireflies around the forest, trying to capture them for himself. But then he finds out what happens when someone wants to take away all the light.

I was just talking about my favorite videos of the year earlier today, and this one is definitely joining the ranks. This video actually makes me like this song a lot more. You should watch it, especially if you're in need of a sweet little pick-me-up, so

Music Video: Black Kids, "Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)"

BuzzSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:31:20 -0700

Part of me wanted to dismiss this video for the Black Kids' song "Look at Me (When I Rock Wichoo)" as being yet another video obsessed with cutesy nostalgia, borrowing as it does from old, cheesily animated kids' shows. But I'm really liking this video, and maybe it's just Monday morning sluggishness, but I find myself zoning out to it more and more as I watch it. My eyes are probably all glazed over, not unlike what used to happen during Saturday morning cartoons years ago. Also, the song actually seems fitting for this kind of shticky silliness; it's not as though they're forcing the cartoon style just to be adorable.

To see what the heck I'm talking about,

Variety's Women's Impact Report: Alexandra Patsavas

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:30:55 -0700

Variety has issued its annual Women's Impact Report, highlighting women who have made an impression at all levels of entertainment. Just like last year, the list includes executive powerhouses, household-name performers, and lesser-known talents. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be spotlighting some of the women whom I find particularly noteworthy. Today's pick: music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas.

I don't own a whole lot of TV soundtracks, but I do have several of the ones from The O.C., which sound more like mix CDs from my coolest friend than the soundtracks to a soapy teenage drama. I have expressed my admiration for the woman responsible for these compilations on a few occasions, as she has so smartly set music to some of the most popular TV shows in recent years. Grey's Anatomy, The O.C., Gossip Girl and now even Mad Men have all benefited from Alexandra Patsavas's great talent.

As Variety notes, several bands can certainly thank Patsavas for helping to get them into the spotlight: "Her power as a contemporary music tastemaker is acknowledged by producers, managers and label execs, as her savvy song choices have drawn attention to such previously little-known alt-rock and indie bands as Death Cab for Cutie, Phantom Planet and the Killers (via The OC); Snow Patrol, the Fray and Ingrid Michaelson (Grey's); and the Virgins (Gossip)."

This willingness to use newer or lesser-known bands (as opposed to going with musical selections that may be more "safe") is one of the things that makes Patsavas so cool. Patsavas told Variety, "I feel like I'm getting away with something all the time. Our producers are into really good music these days, and we are putting forward some very obscure and nontraditional choices. And I'm so happy about that." So are we.

Source and source

Music Video: Juliana Hatfield, "This Lonely Love"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:30:17 -0700

Technically, this Juliana Hatfield song is kinda sad and lonely (hence the title, of course), but the chorus is so catchy I've taken to happily belting it out along with her when I listen to it. I think "This Lonely Love" has a spot waiting for it on my commute playlist.

The video isn't particularly inspired, but it certainly gets across the aloneness of this lonely love, as we watch Hatfield walk around by herself on streets and near trees and on the beach. "This Lonely Love" is on Hatfield's upcoming album How to Walk Away, which is available for download now and will be officially released Aug. 19. To check out the video,

Song of the Day: "Lost Coastlines," Okkervil River

BuzzSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:30:47 -0700

Admittedly, Okkervil River has made it onto my song of the day feature quite a bit. But every time the band releases a new song, there's just no way for me to resist it. When I heard this first track from Okkervil's upcoming fifth album, The Stand-Ins, I interrupted about a dozen or so of my friends' days with an email that implored them to stop and take a listen to this.

And, well, you too should stop and take a listen to this. "Lost Coastlines" has some gorgeous vocals from lead singer Will Sheff, layered on strings and even horns. If a Spoon song had a baby with a track from The Decemberists, it would sound like this. The album drops on Sept. 9, but you can get this track now on iTunes or take a listen if you

Song of the Day: Ben Folds With Regina Spektor, "You Don't Know Me"

BuzzSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:30:35 -0700

Ben Folds's plucky tune "You Don't Know Me" has that bouncy piano thing that actually reminds me more of Regina Spektor's music than Ben Folds's, so it seems fitting that Spektor would contribute some sweet vocals to the track. "You Don't Know Me" will be on Ben Folds's September album Way to Normal.

I'm really digging this song. No, it's not much like Folds's older stuff, but it's a cute, jaunty departure from the norm, and I can appreciate that. To check out the song for yourself,

This Just In: NME Thinks America Is Cool Again

BuzzSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:30:51 -0700

Bad news, Buzz readers (and America): Apparently, we have all been suffering from a crisis of uncoolness for some time now. And the worst part is we didn't even know it (or, at least, I didn't)! This is all according to the British music magazine NME — but there's good news, too, since NME has now managed to find 25 American bands that are making us cool again!

To quote the press release, the new issue is celebrating "the 25 American acts who are whipping up a storm on both sides of the Atlantic — signaling the re-birth of the US music scene!" Which is good, since I've had nothing to listen to for years now when I want to support the good ol' US of A!

Sarcasm aside, I'm glad the magazine is recognizing some great bands that started here — but this is kind of dramatic. I mean, did you know our music scene had died? I thought things were going pretty well, even before Vampire Weekend showed up.

Anyway, I may not agree with NME's sensational declarations, but I am OK with these bands representing America's fine musical taste abroad. I'll share the list of bands after the jump, but I'm also curious what acts gave our friends in the UK such a sour feeling about American music before now. If they really thought we were suffering, they could have just asked, and I would have been happy to point them to some great music!

To see the 25 bands that have helped us reclaim some cool points and let me know your thoughts,

Which Video For Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" Do You Prefer?

BuzzSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:30:13 -0700

For my money, the best video I've seen for Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" wasn't actually a video at all — it was the trailer NBC showed for Kings at the TCA press tour, which used the song's swells to perfect effect while showing off the modern-day David and Goliath story. That clip hasn't surfaced online yet, sadly, but now two actual videos for the title track from this Summer's album have.One (the official-official version, on the left here) is very similar to the iTunes commercial using the song, while the other (an alternate take, on the right, directed by Anton Corbijn) finds Chris Martin wandering all lost like in regal garb. So, which do you prefer?

Source

Which Video For Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" Do You Prefer?

The official-official one — it's so epic.

The Anton Corbijn alternate version — it's a great interpretation.

Neither!

Other (tell me below)

Check Out Lollapalooza, Wherever You Are

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:30:13 -0700

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Sasquatch, and I'm excited to see what San Francisco does with Outside Lands, but in my mind the king of the Summer music festivals is still Lollapalooza. Now in its fourth year in Chicago's Grant Park, the festival just keeps upping the ante: This year's schedule includes headliners Radiohead, Wilco, Rage Against the Machine, Kanye West, and Nine Inch Nails, along with a lot of relatively smaller bands that I'd love to see live: Love and Rockets, The National, Girl Talk, Explosions in the Sky, MGMT, and Mates of State, to name just a few.

Luckily, this year we can once again check out the festival from afar via the AT&T Blue Room. The site will be webcasting hours of Lolla shows each day this weekend, starting around 1:15 p.m. EDT each day.

Today's lineup includes Rogue Wave, The Kills, Bloc Party, and the Raconteurs. Saturday, the site will show performances by Margaret and the Nuclear So-So's, Duffy, DeVotchka, and Broken Social Scene, among others. And Sunday wraps up with broadcasts of Flogging Molly, Love and Rockets, and The National.

Anyone out there going to Lollapalooza? Or will you be watching from afar, too?

Source

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:30:27 -0700

Tuesdays are big in entertainment-ville: Not only do all the new DVD releases hit Netflix, but new music also pours into stores, including iTunes. So I take a spin through each week's iTunes music releases and pick out some albums and tracks worthy of a download. Here are today's selections:

Rock me: The buzzed-about upcoming comedy Hamlet 2, about a high school musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet, has its soundtrack out today. It feels wrong to laugh at these song titles, but I can't help it — and that might be a sign of how I'll respond to the movie itself. Tracks include "Rock Me Sexy Jesus." The rest, you'll have to check out on your own, because I feel dirty typing some of them.

California folk: Tristan Prettyman is one of those relaxing, sunshiny singers who's always good for chilling out (see also: Jack Johnson). Today iTunes has an exclusive live session full of lovely songs — including a surprising cover of Britney Spears's "Toxic" and a great original song called "Madly."

I've got a mellow lad up next, so

What's the Song of Summer 2008?

BuzzSugar — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:00:46 -0700

You know, I'm not gonna lie: kind of a tame Summer for music, don't you think? Not to say that there weren't solid releases from big names, but it's that time of year when everyone seems to be singing the same song ("Umbrella-ella-ella-ella!") and yet I can't seem to find a consensus of what songs are perpetually on the radio, in our heads, or on the dance floor. But here are the songs that, as far as I can tell, are on heavy rotation right now. You know, the songs that will remind us in the future of that one Summer when every superhero movie ever came out, Mariah Carey got married, and neither Obama nor McCain was president yet.Source

What's the Song of Summer 2008?

"I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry

"Mercy" by Duffy

"American Boy" by Estelle

"Viva la Vida" by Coldplay

"Love in This Club" by Usher

"4 Minutes" by Madonna and Justin Timberlake

"Pocket Full of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield

What?! No! The song of the Summer is ____________.

Is That a Moldy Peaches Song I Hear in the Atlantis Commercial?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:33:15 -0700

OK, look: we all gotta make a living, I understand that. But this commercial for the family resort Atlantis featuring the Moldy Peaches single "Anyone Else But You" is kind of crazy. The song was made famous by Juno and to many it will remain a delicate and simple love song that Paulie Bleeker (Michael Cera) and Juno (Ellen Page) sing to each other. Whenever I hear it I think of things like falling in love with your best friend, teenage crushes, loving someone warts and all, etc. You know what I don't think of? Swimming with dolphins and golfing.

This is the cheesy kicker: The commercial changes the lyrics to better suit a commercial aimed at getting families to go on fun-filled vacations in the Bahamas. For example, in the original song, the first phrase goes like this:

You're a part time lover and a full time friend/The monkey on you're back is the latest trend/I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else/But you.

And has been changed to the following for the commercial:

Let's go ride a couple of dolphins/Or maybe play tennis or do some golfin/Oh what a wonder/A wonderful world can be.

Sigh. To see the whole thing for yourself and let me know if this breaks your heart a little,

What to Download: New Music on iTunes

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:30:11 -0700

All the indie buzz: The first album from the much-hyped band (Spin called them "the most buzzed-about new band since Vampire Weekend") Black Kids is probably a must-have for anyone trying to keep their iTunes loaded with the latest and greatest. I really like the tracks "Listen to Your Body Tonight" and "I'm Making Eyes At You."

Industrial rock returns: Trent Reznor and his merry gang of rockers are back with an eighth album from Nine Inch Nails, The Slip. Of course you can download it for free at NIN's site (which is what I did) or you can buy it today on iTunes. I know, I don't get it either. Regardless, the album is a lot of the same (for some that's a good thing, for others it might be tedious), while still not being quite as good as their old stuff. Still, there are some stand-out singles like "Discipline" and I like sorting out all the cool beats in "Demon Seed."

Up next: A band that couldn't be more opposite than NIN, so

Love It or Leave It: Devendra Banhart Video With Natalie Portman

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:36:57 -0700

Before being known to most as Natalie Portman's boyfriend, Devendra Banhart was famous in certain circles for turning out interesting neo-folk music and has been a mainstay in the independent music scene for a little while now.His new video for his Spanish language song "Carmensita," has people talking partly because Ms. Portman's in it but also because some people aren't sure how awesome this cheeky swipe at Bollywood-style productions is. Do you find this video a fun rush to the senses, or totally forgettable?
Source

Love It or Leave It: Devendra Banhart Video With Natalie Portman

Love it! It's creative and funny.

Leave it! Bollywood satire's just not that great.

Other (I'll tell you below)

What's Your Favorite ABBA Song?

BuzzSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:30:53 -0700

Friends, the time is here. That spectacle of a musical, Mamma Mia!, is going to hit theaters in a matter of days. While many will rush to see The Dark Knight, some will be lured to this shining, glorious ABBA extravaganza starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried and Colin Firth.In celebration of this, you must now choose your favorite ABBA song of all time. Ready, set, debate!Source

Movie Preview: The Gits

BuzzSugar — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:00:33 -0700

On July 7, 1993, the lead singer of an up-and-coming Seattle blues-punk band, Mia Zapata was brutally murdered. She was only 27 years old. Her death sent a huge shock wave throughout Seattle, the epicenter of the alternative music movement at the time.

A new documentary, titled The Gits after Mia's band, follows the rise of the enigmatic performer on the brink of stardom, and the chilling and senseless circumstances of her death (the man who murdered her was just found, nearly 10 years later). Folks who have seen this documentary say it's a heartfelt tribute to what could have been, and is a reminder of how strikingly absent a female voice like Mia's is from today's music.

If you're at all fascinated by the grunge music scene in Seattle or what it meant to be a girl rocker at the time, you'll probably be way into this. You can find listings for local showings of the movie here and you can find information about the DVD here.

In the meantime, you can check out the trailer if you