Just a Holy Fool

Oh, HEY THERE, Spring! Hey there Passover, Easter, and all things regarding making things new and resurrected and whatnot. How timely to be talking about religious songs with religious themes!

Oh, HEY THERE, Lady Gaga!

I suppose you've heard about Gaga's latest? And what "Christians" have to say about it?

Holy over-reacting, Batman.

Sooo....I actually happen to teach religion and am working on my MA in Theology and I'm not saying that makes me an expert or anything....but....

No, for reals. That for sure does not make me an authority on this in any way. But I just have been asked by every. single. person. and their grandmother about what the Church and Christians have to say about this song.  And I can only really speak for myself since I am pretty sure Benedict XVI himself has not yet wrote an encyclical about it or even heard it on itunes.

All I know is Gaga is starting to impress me less and less and we all know how I loved her. When "Born This Way" came out (heh) I was on the "it- sounds-just-like-'Express Yourself'- laid-over-top-of-TLC's-'Waterfalls'" train. And now this Judas business which even the students I work with acknowledge that it sounds strikingly similar to "Bad Romance".

But, yet, Gaga still has our attention, even if it is much in the same vain (pun intended) as Madonna before her. And Madonna's shoes are not necessarily bad ones to be in. I happen to think Lady Gaga is even more of a musician than Madonna. Madonna perhaps, though, had more of a defined vision. Both certainly have drive.

So, yeah, even with all the hype, I'm underwhelmed. Maybe that's because I was, oh, I don't know, ALIVE in the 80s when Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' controversy hit (albeit I was about 8 and totally making up choreographed dances to the song in the parking lot of my Catholic School that I attended. Blasphemy? Meh, irony maybe.)

I'm sure the video will be shocking (Um, I was a little disturbed by the video for "Born this Way". Not because of any kind of lyrics but that the beginning reminded me a little too much of  The Miracle of Life videos shown in health class. No one likes to revisit those, Gaga) but really all I can speak for right now is what I think about these damned (heh) lyrics. So here goes:

The lady herself has said it is about being drawn to the wrong kind of guy, and that's how I take the song 'Judas' as well. I do think she used all the over-arching imagery (ie- "a king with no crown" and "I'll wash my feet with my hair") to be shocking, but I do think she is also making her point with it. She says in the song "Jesus is my virtue." I take the lyrics to mean she knows what is good, but yet she chooses to "wash the feet" of the wrong guy instead. She sympathesizes with the betrayer for some reason, even though she knows it's wrong and bad for her.

That's really all I got. Like I said, I'm underwhelmed. Maybe that's what comes with turning 30. Last year, i was dressing up like Lady Gaga, this year, I'm over the drama.

I'm just kind of over the drama, Gaga : ( I'm getting to old for this.

Peace,
Julia

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Justin Timberlake

So... math is hard. And I'm not sure if the subject heading actually expresses what I want to say. What I really want to say is today is Justin Timberlake's 30th birthday and I'm celebrating.

My love affair with Justin started briefly in 1998 when I went to my first Nsync concert Senior Year in high school. I had seen Justin on the MMC (Mickey Mouse Club- DUH) back in '94, but I was still partial to the original members (like those from the short lived pop band "The Party". Remember them? I played that cassette tape OUT:

I later lived my dream of seeing one of the original members live when I saw Dee Dee Magno in a national tour of "Wicked". Yes, I = geek)

Anyways, back to Nsync. My friend and I waited in line to get tickets the morning of our senior Homecoming dance instead of getting our hair did. Britney Spears was the opening act and it. was. amazing. I had no idea what this pop prince and princess had in store for us in the '00s.

Nsync followed me to college and my friends and college roommate will tell you that obsession was at its height in 2000-2001. Justin lived on my cinderblock walls (as well as his bandmates. If I am honest, Lance was my *favorite*, which makes sense since I seem to have a pattern as *that* girl who falls for gay men. Sigh. Gay men and I just have so much in common! Broadway showtunes! Cute boys! Clothes! Fashion! Double sigh).

My heart was broken even before Lance came out of the closet when in 2001-2002 (about the same time Lance announced he was going to be trying to fly to space...oy...) Nsync went their separate ways.

I held my breath when Justin's solo album was released. Would it be good? Or would my idol be the laughing stock of pop culture?

When I heard the guitar riffs for "Like I Love You" complete with the rap break from Clipse- I knew my boy would be okay.

I obsessively watched and showed all my friends the "Cry Me a River" video (pssst...it was about Britney cheating! And it was HOT. Justin? In the rain? Yes, please)

Then there, of course, he brought "Sexy Back" a couple years later and the world fell in love with the man I always knew had an impecible sense of comedic timing (what? I did. I had endless hours of footage of taped Nsync appearances on every talkshow circa 2000. I knew he had "it" ;) with his numerous SNL guest spots.

I hope Justin's 30th year brings A NEW ALBUM ALREADY. Humph.

This year is MY 30th year too. Whatdoyasay, old friend? Can you make my 30th year dreams come true? Sexy Back Reprise...please?

Peace,
Julia

Happy 2011: A Commercial Break

It's the new year, y'all, and I still have those effing holiday commercials stuck in my head. Primarily this one:

If you combine my uncanny ability to retain any song I hear with a healthy dose of snow-related cabin fever and more than a little egg nog, this song becomes REALLY fun to dance to.

Imagine my shock when my boyfriend had to tell me this was Vampire Weekend.

Clearly, I'm not as hipster as I'd like to think. Someone get me some PBR, stat.

Either I'm not as cool as I thought I was, or he is far cooler. I have a growing suspicion that both of these things are true.

Before we accuse them too quickly of selling out, I'd like to point out that several artists are using commercials as a launching platform for exposure. Vampire Weekend wasn't even the only one this holiday season.

Perhaps you recognized Pomplamoose:

A friend of mine described this one as "the car commercial with the awkward singing".

I'm quick to jump down the throat of people that overuse the word "awkward", but I have to say my friend was right on the money with this one. I also have to say that if this commercial were my sole impression of Pomplamoose, I'd go on a murderous spree because I'm not more famous than the girl with the awkward singing. Alas, I've heard some recordings of theirs that are pretty fun. Check out "Expiration Date" if you get the chance.

Another one of my favorites that introduced me to my beloved Ingrid Michaelson:

For reals. My friend just got his iPod touch a couple years ago, Shazammed that shiz, and found her. And now, she's all growed up and writing duets for herself and Sara Bareilles (Please check out "Winter Song" if you don't know it already. I don't know why this post refuses to post linky-majigs today, otherwise I'd do the work for you.) You go, Glen Coco! Whoops, I meant Ingrid. Sorry. #MeanGirlsReference

You can't blame these artists for looking to commercials to reach a broader audience. The old formula for fame went something like "Get signed to a label, they'll put you on the radio, and people will hear of you."

Enter: the internet. Suddenly, the radio isn't the only route to audiences. The good news: it's far easier to get exposure. The bad news: There's far more competition for your audience's attention.

So artists are turning to television. It works for them, because millions of people hear their music. It works for advertisers, because they don't have to pay high royalty fees for putting up already-popular recordings.

I'm so thankful that Phoenix did this Cadillac commercial, otherwise I don't know how much longer I'd have taken to discover them.

The upside: I now know an artist I really like. The inevitable downside: I can't hear this song without buying a Cadillac SRX.

Now that I've made you want three cars and a sweater, I'mma peace out. In the new year, keep your eyes open for new artists, and keep me posted!

Love,
Laura

Why I love 2010

Wow, y'all. 2010 was kind of amazing. Nothing super significant or groundbreaking, but just fun stuff in music and in life in general. Do you agree?

Some of the reasons that 2010 was one of my favorites:

- Bruno Mars & B.o.B. Separate and together.

- THE RETURN OF USHER!!!

- Drake and his fancy-ness.

- Sara Bareilles' sophomore album- nothing sophomoric about it.

- "Deuces"- Chris Brown's redemption which had nothing to do with Chris Brown.

- indie returns from Arcade Fire AND The National! MY FAVESIES! Plus, they TOURED. AND I SAW THEM (saw Sara Barielles, too!).

Just saying, it was kind of an awesome year. Plus, I got snowed in with my bestie, lvd, got a new job that I can more than just tolerate but actually LIKE, and only went to TWO weddings NEITHER of which I had to buy a dress for! I WIN!

Also, Very Mary Kate kind of made my year. My roommate and I even dressed up like MK and Ashley for Halloween:

So where to begin? Okay, I loved everything Bruno Mars and B.o.B did this year. I was, of course, introduced to both of them together with this song


Then Bruno sang another hook on "Billionaire" with Travie McCoy, then every girl's dream song "Just the Way You Are" (because what girl doesn't like to be told she's perfect?) and I even kind of like his latest: "Grenade" just because his voice is very pretty and passionate.

I don't love that "Marry You" song that Glee covered, but I do love Glee, ergo, I kind of like that song.

As for B.o.B, he had Airplanes with Hayley Williams and while it was SO overplayed, it had this part 2 version feat. Eminem and we know everything Eminem touches in 2010 has turned to gold, so...

Now for USHER. SCIENCE FACT: I love Usher. I know that has nothing to do with Science, but my friend Lo of @elandlo uses that phrase all the time and you should read their blog because they are hysterical.

Anywho, I was watching Behind the Music on VH1 on like the ONE and ONLY night I had to myself this year (at least since mid-way through the year when I decided to become a first year teacher!) and it was on USHER. And it reminded me of my love for him. I immediately downloaded every song since like 1996 and I do not regret my decision one bit.

LVD and I are a little disappointed that Usher is so autotuned these days 'cause he DOESN'T NEED TO BE but I'm just glad he's back. The DJ does indeed have me falling in love again...just saying.

Since I am a teacher now, I try to be the cool fun teacher and incorporate pop culture and just pray to God that I am not emulating Gwenyth Paltrow's character on Glee.

One day some of my students came up to me saying: "Ms. S! Ms. S! We are going to see Drake this weekend!"

I respond (without missing a beat): "Nails done, hair done, everything did?"

And they immediately respond: "Oh, you Fancy, huh?!"

It was a proud moment for me. I love this song.

Okay, so LVD and I have written before of our love for S.B. and how we want to be her. Her second album came out this year and I think I can speak for LVD when I say we were a little afraid for Sara. We just loved "Little Voice" so. much. Would the second attempt be as good?

I heard "King of Anything" on the radio and cheered. It was a hit! But would the whole album be as good? I admit, when I downloaded it, I wasn't in love with every song. BUT THEN I SAW HER LIVE. And it was amazing.

LVD told me Sara B. had written Kaliedoscope Heart with live performance in mind. After seeing her perform these songs live, the album made sense to me. Well done, Sara B. Well done.

Speaking of returns...I don't think anyone was hoping for a Chris Brown return anytime soon. But I was driving home one day listening to the R&B station which I am known to do from time to time and I hear Drake, Kanye, and Andre 3000 drop all these crazy-funny-awesome verses and I am like, "what is this song?! And how soon can I download it?!" I didn't know who was singing the hook, and I really didn't care. Come to find later it is actually a Chris Brown song. Oops.

Deuces Up, Chris Brown. Thumbs Up as well.

It was wayyyy smart on his part to make his come back with these heavy hitters (no pun intended!! Okay, maybe) because who is hotter than Drake or Kanye right now? And everybody loves Andre 3000, right? Who doesn't love "Hey Ya?"

Lastly, I've said time and time again I love me some indie rock. Two of my fave bands- The National and Arcade Fire- came out with outstanding albums (High Violet and The Suburbs respectively)and then they toured. I don't know what else to say...

This year ruled. My hopes for 2011? Justin Timberlake finally makes a new album and T.I. can be released from (and stay out of!) jail. That would make my year!

Happy holidays, Happy 2010, and Happy New Year!

Deuces,
Julia

Remember the Night

Hello, all 8 of you! Laura here. Check this out:



How can I say this without sounding completely shameless?

That song is my band, the Understudies. Those guys are my second family and I love them with all my heart.

Christmas has come early for me, as this song just hit iTunes. I'm so proud I want to cry. I'm so excited I want to run a marathon.

This video is a tribute that was made using our song. If you or someone you know are good at making slideshows/videos, we should talk. ;)

Hope you enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Love,
Laura

GRAMMEEZZZ!

Hopefully this year's show won't actually bring to life those extra ZZZ's I added...we had our moments last Jan, didn't we Laura?

So, Laura's post "got me all guh" about the Grammys, y'all. (I'm almost POSITIVE that I'm using that phrase wrong because I think that means it makes me angry. Which the Grammys don't.) Though the Grammys do kind of give me a headache because of what Laura said: those 47 blogposts this past January were no. joke.

I really liked last year's Grammys. I still get a little weepy when I see bits of Gaga and Elton's duet/mashup of Speechless and Your Song...are we surprised? And a joke about Pink hanging from a ribbon from the ceiling still makes me giggle.

What DID get me all guh last year at the Grammys was Taylor Swift and her inability to sing live and yet sweep up Grammys.  But girl can write, so I'll give her that.

I'm hoping (as Laura said) that the pendulum does swing the other way this year, and by the looks of the Record of the Year contenders, it's going to be a hip-hop year. Buzz is already surrounding Eminem to take home many awards, which I believe he deserves. (Also, I just don't want to mess with him or get him all guh, if you know what I mean. Might end up in a song or something in which I end up figuratively six feet under...)

I also hope Em, B.o.B, Bruno Mars, Rihanna, and others take home awards because that Lady Antebellum song (though I secretly love it) kind of makes me want to slit my wrists. I know that is UBER insensitive of me, but it- like Michael Buble's "Just Haven't Met You Yet"- taunts me with its sweet vocals yet all-too-truthful lyrics. You feel me fellow drunk, single girl whose tempted to text an ex a quarter after one? DON'T DO IT!

Whomp Wah. Okay. Moving on.

SO EXCITED about the Record of the Year category!!! Each one of those that Laura listed is unique yet similar in some ways. And I love them ALL!

I have to laugh about Cee-Lo. One of my Tweeps and personal friends who- is amazing but usually a year or two behind when it comes to pop music- actually sent me the original, unedited version of this song before it came out on radio (No kidding. She also called me semi-recently to discuss Akon's "Sexy Chick" which has been out for a good year plus :) I was so proud of her for this early find! ;)

So this song holds a special place in my heart. Plus, Cee Lo can sing, brings character to the piece, its got an old-school 50s feel...etc, etc.

AND it was done on Glee! Brilliantly, of course :) Though I still can't decide if Gwenyth Paltrow is the true triple threat we all want her to be, but that's another blog for another time....

Next, I'm pumped that Arcade Fire is nominated for Album of the Year! It won't win, but its awesome that it is nominated. I fell in love with Arcade Fire back in the day when their album Funeral came out. I wasn't as into Neon Bible, their next album, but The Suburbs that came out this year is truly different than other things they've done and also very enjoyable. Not to mention it has a socially conscious commentary. Definitely check it out.

Gah! Guh! Whathaveyou! Now I can't wait 'til January! Also, lvd- we gots to make our lists for own personal albums of the year! Sara Bareilles, anyone?! I think so!

Now you've gone and done it, lvd. Apparently mention of the Grammys is all it takes. Now I'll be back to blogging again...win?

Peace,
Julia

Happy Birthday, Princess of Pop!

So my girl Laura has been all over and up and in this blog piece of late. Sniff, sniff... I'm so proud! You know what I've been doing? TEACHING. (Not that my girl Laura's not- she's also a teacher-but she's a veteran! She conducts choirs and bands in her sleep. AND she gigs on the side!). I'm new at this game. And you know what? First-year teaching is HARD. Who knew? (other teachers raise hands.. ) Well, NOW you tell me ;)

Instead of blogging I now have to use my creative energy and efforts to make learning FUN. Whatevs.

Actually, my students may not realize or appreciate it, but I like to think my being a pop culture geek does give me some cred in the classroom. I have, afterall, assigned multimedia projects and assignments involving Twitter.

But, I digress.

You guys...Britney Spears turns 29 today!

What kind of pop blog would this be without honoring she who embodies all that is pop? The sweet, innocent Mickey Mouse upbringing? The mid-drift bearing provocative school-girl virgin turned bad girl? The slutty, scandalous reality show with loser back-up dancer husband/baby daddy???

I mean...

her vocal abilities? Dance? Moves?

Just kidding. She's an icon.

Like Madonna before her, she hasn't made her name based on her vocals or songwriting, but rather- her image, her commitment to performance, and ability to re-invent herself in ways that still both draws people's attention and gets them to buy records.

I don't know how they do it. I scoffed when Brit-Brit came out with a  "greatest hits" album at age 23 in 2004..but, by God, it is a party crowd pleaser. Or an in my car on the way to work pleaser. Or a I like to pretend I'm Britney a la Brittany Pierce in Glee pleaser (I totes love the Santana/Brittany "Me Against the Music" So brill).

Cheers to you, Brit-Brit! We are the same age! Here's to 29 going on fabulous :)

Peace,
Julia