// Category Archive for: Music

Best Of 2009: By Danny R. Phillips

These are my favorite albums in no discernible order.
(more…)

Duran Duran, Hammersmith ’82!

By Less Lee Moore

As a longtime Duranie, I remember all too well the anti-Duran Duran sentiments of the 1980s. Duran Duran’s career has now lasted about thirty years and due to the band’s impressive longevity, unique sound, undeniable influence, and general affability, I thought that phase was long past.

After seeing one incredibly nasty comment made about the band recently, I felt almost personally offended, shocked that anyone still clung to such negative thoughts after all this time. Haven’t Duran Duran more than proven themselves by now?

I invite such haters to watch the newly-released Hammersmith ’82! DVD and defy them to feel anything but joy after seeing it.
(more…)

Top Five Movie Musicals

By Jemiah Jefferson

Find out how to win a copy of the soundtrack to Nine at the end of this article! The contest has now ended.

In light of the upcoming release of Nine (on December 18), starring everybody and Fergie, it’s time for a small countdown of my particular favorite movie musicals. Of course, this list probably won’t line up with yours (although you should remember to check the lists of runners-up at the bottom!), but these five films were instrumental in transforming me from a scowling punk who had nothing but contempt for movie song-and-dance to a glitter-afro-wearing, Twyla-Tharp-worshipping show tune queen.
(more…)

Best Of 2009—Albums: By Julie Finley

This year was actually a MUCH better year than last year, in regards to album releases. Lots of anticipated stuff (at least for moi) came out, and made me quite positive and hopeful. Last year I was starting to wonder why I still bothered to pay attention, but this year made me bite my tongue. The only thing this year lacked regarding music? There weren’t enough concerts worthy of attendance; it seems those who released stuff that I liked didn’t play anywhere I could get to!

(more…)

Top Ten Holiday Tunes: By Less Lee Moore

1. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Band Aid

I know this song’s privileged, paternalistic attitude is totally inappropriate, but it just reminds me so much of teenaged Christmases, I can’t help but love it. Plus, it features many of my teen musical crushes: Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Boy George, and of course, Marilyn (before the drugs took their toll).
(more…)

My Very Own Christmas (and Hanukkah!) Mixtape

By Jesse Roth

Every holiday season, the media never fails to deliver its audience the unwelcome gift of what I’d like to call the “and your point is?” story. From what I can tell, the big story this time around reflects on this new phenomenon known as “people other than Bing Crosby recording Christmas music.” Thus far, most of the stories have gone along the lines of “Oh. My. God. You mean Bob Dylan released a Christmas album?! And Mariah Carey released one in 1994?! And wait? What’s this? Andrea Bocelli has one too, and he’s singing with MUPPETS?!? What a craaaazy decade we’re suffering through!”
(more…)

Top Five Holiday Tunes: By Laura L.

1. “Last Christmas,” Wham!

Yes, it’s full of ’80s cheesiness, but that’s what makes it so great. You can just picture George Michael and Andrew Ridgely performing this song in sweaters that would make even Bill Cosby blush.
(more…)

Top Ten Holiday Tunes: By Christian Lipski

To me, “Christmas Song” means a song that is about the holiday. I’m not sure what crazed goon chose “My Favorite Things” to include on the Christmas radio station, but I can’t abide by it. That also excludes songs from Christmas specials that are not about the holiday. Like “We’re A Couple Of Misfits” from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—it’s not about the holiday. Your interpretation may vary, and that’s good.
(more…)

Top Ten Holiday Tunes: By Alex Arnott

1. “Donna and Blitzen,” Badly Drawn Boy

I think it has everything. Lush orchestration, festive jangly bells, underrated reindeer, and more than a little bit of indie magic.
(more…)

An Open Apology to Courtney Love

By Emily Carney

In a recent issue of Popshifter, I wrote an excoriating article about Courtney Love, (Way Past Almost Golden: Courtney Love In The 2000s ) in which touched upon her most recent problems with drug addiction. I am writing this to apologize to Ms. Love (even though I doubt she will ever read this or anything else I commit to writing).
(more…)