I’m Kinda Over Being Told to Throw My Hands in the Air

“For so long, pop music has been this super-shameful thing, where people don't want to be associated with it, they want to be on Pitchfork. But the way I see it, pop music doesn't have to be stupid, and alternative music doesn't have to be boring; you can mesh the two together and make something cool.” Lorde ladies and gentlemen. The teenager from New Zealand slowly rose up the American pop charts with her song Royals until it hit number one on the iTunes charts where it has locked down for two straight weeks.

Royals is a sly song that draws you in with lyrics about Cristal and gold teeth but it is not until the third or fourth listen when you realize that it not just another song about wealth and greed but an anti-materialism song making fun of the people that glorify such things. Now one has pull off this switch-a-roo better since Rage Against the Machine attacked angry teenagers with loud guitars and lines like “(Expletive deleted), I won’t do what you told me,” before getting them to realize that some that work forces in fact do burn crosses.

Royals is the only holdover from her Love Club EP (which is a shame because Bravado may be the third best song she has done while and Million Dollar Bills, Love Club as well as The Replacements cover Swinging Party from the Tennis Courts single would have also been some of the better songs on the album but I am sure they will be added to the “Deluxe Edition” at some point) to be included on her full length debut Pure Heroine. Tennis Court, which was released as a single back in spring, is also on the album. As hinted at on those previous releases, the full length album features songs that sound like what Lana Del Rey wishes she can make: music that is sparse and epic at the time and sound like what The xx may sound like if they aspired for pop chart dominance. All with lyrics by someone who realizes there is no upward mobility for her living in a city you will never see on screens and she is fine with that with shot at people who foolishly aspire to that lifestyle but do not even want to work for.

The devil may care attitude does wane near the end of the album when she starts singing about Glory and Gore and putting White Teeth Teens on blast. But Pure Heroine does finish strong with A World Apart, the second best song here after the smash hit single. It is the most danceable track Lorde has done in her short career and the first time she features a song that has something that resembles a guitar. Though the subject matter is still the same as the previous songs on the album (“people are jerks”), it is much more fun as she starts dancing in the world alone. If Lorde can put out music this good as a teen, it is hard to think how good it will be when she gets some more experience under her belt. Or maybe this is it, and she will be starring horrible Syfy movies in twenty year (sorry Debbie Gibson). Here is hoping for that former and there are enough Lorde like singers to follow that will bump the Katy's, Gaga's, and Miley's off the pop charts for good.

Song to Download – If you already picked up Royals from The Love Club EP, gives A World Alone a download

Pure Heroine gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

This Year Halloween Fell on the Weekend

Okay, for anyone who has already flipped over their calendars will have noticed that this year Halloween actually falls on a Thursday. But in defense of the guy who first uttered that line, his mind was playing tricks on him. In fact in 1990, when Bushwick Bill rapped that line, Halloween also fell on a Thursday. Plus when he declared it was Halloween, later in the verse, it did not even turn out to be close to Halloween.

The line was the centerpiece of the seminal gangsta rap track My Mind’s Playing Tricks on Me by Geto Boys. At the time when west coast rappers were glorifying the gangsta lifestyle, these Houston boys were tapping into the paranoia real gang bangers had at the time having to constantly look over your shoulder for the cops and other gang members. To up the paranoia, the cover of the album We Can't Be Stopped, this month’s induction into the Scooter Hall of Fame, featured Bushwick Bill in the hospital after he shot himself in the eye.

The boys do not spend the entire album sitting in four cornered rooms starring at candles and go on the offensive, taking aim at Queen Latifah (I’m Not a Gentlemen, their answer back to her Ladies First), the Grammy’s (Trophies), and even their own record label who would not distribute their previous album (the title track). Though the Fresh Prince beat Bushwick Bill rapping about a horror film antagonist by three years, the Geto Boys’ Chuckie, based on the Child’s Play doll, is as scary as the actual movie. In another pop culture reference, Willie D recorded a song based on the Homey D. Clown catchphrase Homie Don’t Play That which was just as angry as The Living Color sketch.

Though this year Halloween does not fall on the weekend, every October is a good time to sit along in a four cornered room starring at candles while listening to the Geto Boys.

I Want My Music Television: 9/30/13

There have been a couple of videos that have caught my eye lately so I thought I’d give them some love since the death of Musical Television left a void for a forum on the art form. If you are interested in buying the video through iTunes, click the title link (where available). If you are interested in buying the song, look for a link in the analysis.


Shot at the Night – The Killers


Their debut album does not turn a decade old until next summer, but The Killers are already to release their first greatest hits package with two new songs. Like pretty much every greatest hits album with new material, Shot at the Night really does not live up to the rest of the songs included (Mary Jane’s Last Dance is the rare exception). Their video does seem like the most Killer-y music video yet. It does make it very clear that Belle Heathcote needs her own television show on air by next fall.


Sirens – Pearl Jam


I know I have not been the most ardent follower of Pearl Jam of the last fifteen years, but this is the first time I can recall anyone in the band break out an acoustic guitar (not including their Unplugged performance of course). Considering they had a pure power ballad follow up the very agro Mind Your Manners, Lightning Bolt is shaping up to be their most eclectic album yet. I wonder if Eddie Vedder brought in his ukulele from him solo album.


The Heart of Dixie – Danielle Bradbery


Smart bit of marketing releasing Danielle Bredbery’s debut video the same day of the new season of The Voice. The video kind of reminds me a video version of the photo on Carrie Underwood’s debut album, another smart touch, it even had a twist ending (Dixie is the art teacher!!!). But the songs on the album will have to be better than this to have Carrie Underwood type success.


Wake Me Up (Acoustic) – Aloe Blacc


If you remember back to when Avicii released the original version of Wake Me Up I said I liked the song but wished Aloe Blacc would release an acoustic version of the song. Well ask and you shall receive.

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 9/29/13

Ray Donovan: Of course the season ended with Mickey saving Ray’s life. Let me go ahead and predict next season will see the two reluctantly team up against a common foe. Ugg, at least the season is over and Homeland can start next week.

The Voice: It what seems to be my yearly, How to Fix the Voice rants, one of my bigger complaints was the recycling of songs and how they needed to retire a bunch of songs. This season did see the third straight performance of Back to Black and Too Close and a few others that got trotted out for a second try. But overall they include a bunch of new songs to the show including some surprisingly awesome song selections. After the first night I did not think someone would perform a song cooler than Keep Your Hands to Yourself, then the very next night someone broke out the most inspired song selection since Lindsey Pavao flipped a Trey Songz track when some dude sang The Theme to the Jeffersons. Boom. Then you also had a guy perform the lone Blu Cantrell hit, a Lynyrd Skynyrd song not named Sweet Home Alabama, a Jack White song, and surprisingly the very first song on the show by The Killers (not counting the time the band themselves performed). Overall I was happy with the song selection this season, hopefully when the coaches take the reins, their picks are just as inspiring. Of course Cee-Lo’s usually are for better or worse.

But the first week belonged to Holly Henry. A couple weeks ago when she appeared in an ad for this season I wondered if it is too soon to anoint someone after just five seconds. Now that I have heard the full ninety second performance the answer is a resounding yes. I am not the only one who thought this because her version of The Scientist cracked the top 25 on iTunes, only the second time I can recall that happening during the Blind Auditions (and it is more impressive than when Sarah Simmons did last season because Holly has to contend with singles from all the high profile fall releases; can anyone remember any marquee album released in the first quarter of 2013). I will not go into a full detail as to why because I have already written a lengthy write-up on Holly Henry for my upcoming Power Rankings that I will post at the end the Blind Audition. Basically if she does not get far this season, I will have to write another lengthy How to Fix The Voice post. Until then, just watch her performance and enjoy.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download songs performed this week with the widget at right.


How I Met Your Mother: When the season started off with Wayne Brady singing Islands in the Stream, both the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton parts, I thought the final season would be a return to form. Unfortunately the rest of the hour, what was way too long, fell back into the usual tropes that has brought down the show in the last couple seasons.
You can stream episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download How I Met Your Mother on iTunes.

The Blacklist: The problem with Pilots is when you see the extended trailers; you have pretty much seen the entire episode. So some of what should have been the best parts of the episode, when James Spader first walks into the FBI and when Elizabeth stabs him neck, were scenes you expected to happen. But there were a few things they saved for actual show. From the trailer, it was easy to guess that Spader would turn out to be Elizabeth’s father but since her parents became a central part of their discussion, that is probably not the case (though I would not take it completely off the table, she could be adopted or Spader had an affair with her mother unbeknownst to her or her “father”). After the discovery in the floorboard, the safer best is the husband could be Spader’s kid. Or maybe the husband is at the top of The Blacklist. How good this show is will be determine how they handle the storyline. Most shows would make you wait a couple episodes, or until the winter break to reveal his intention, but if Elizabeth does not confront her husband in the next episode, that will be a major flaw. I fear he may be in the hospital for the foreseeable future.
You can stream episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Blacklist on iTunes.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: It become clear pretty early on that it may not have been the best idea to do their casting from the Abercrombie catalogue. Most of the cast just does not know how to deliver a joke. Hurph. Hopefully they learn quickly because the ratings make it look like it will be around for a while. As for the actually show, the big reason of how Agent Coulson is not dead like we saw in The Avengers was that he held his breath for thirty seconds. Alrighty. Okay there is clearly more to this story as Maria Hill says that Coulson can never know what really happened in Tahiti. So is he a reanimated corpse? A robot with Coulson’s memories uploaded? Something completely different?
You can stream episodes on Hulu. You can also download Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on iTunes.

The Goldbergs: As a child of the eighties, I like a good retro show from the decade, I will even watch a crappy version. Unfortunately The Goldbergs is much closer to the latter. Hopefully it finds its footing and quick because I want watch for the soundtrack alone.
You can stream episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Goldbergs on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: There are fewer things in my life that I need to see less than Matt Sarasen’s mom having sex with Robocop. I really wish I could un-see that. And though it was teased in the promo, the scene with Jax talking to the formal marshal through the one way mirror was very powerful. But I was shocked that Jax actually gave up Tig. I figured after Pope died, no one would care about that debt anymore. But Tig cannot possibly be dead can he? This is not the kind of show that would have a death off scene. The writers would never pass off a chance to have emotionally painful death scene. And it would seem odd to start off an episode with a death scene. Maybe they will give him some sort of reprieve if Tig does something for them like they did with Clay inside.
You can download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

Survivor: Blood vs. Water: It only took two episodes and the old Colton is back and I am back to hoping he has another appendix left to burst. Either that or he quits as the promo suggest he might after Probst asks him if he wants too. I assuming him sitting on his fiancé’s lap is against the rules and hopefully him doing that s viewed as quitting. Then it would be funny if Colton quits and asks his fiancé to join him and he goes, you know what, I am going to go head and stay and play.
You can stream episodes on cbs.com. You can also download Survivor: Blood vs. Water on iTunes.

The Bridge: When they caught Drew Thompson with a couple episodes left on Justified last season, I wonder how they could possibly fill up the rest of the season. But the last couple episodes ended up being the best of the season. So when they caught David Tate last week I thought The Bridge could do the same. Um, no. It is probably not a good sign that my biggest question coming out of this episode was what exactly was on Sonia’s cassette tape?
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu. You can also download The Bridge on iTunes.

The Challenge: Rivals II: I really liked how they broke out the Pythagorean Theorem for the final challenge. Although I am shocked that everyone knew what it was (did they give them the equation on the board, I did not get a good look at the instructions). Granted none of them were smart enough to make an educated guess and instead tried to do the math in the dirt. But as great as the Pythagorean Theorem leg of the final challenge was, the gross food leg was very unnecessary. I really did not need to see people projectile vomit for ten minutes straight.
You can download The Challenge: Rivals II on iTunes.

The Big Bang Theory: The show has always been at its best when they find a way to get Penny and Sheldon together which is happening less and less as the cast expanded. But as the premiere showed, when they do, it is comedy gold. Kaley Cuoco showed up for a quick cameo on The Voice this week because her sister is auditioning later this season, here is hoping Jim Parsons pops up in the friends and family room. And since we already heard one television theme performed this season, maybe the other Cuoco will perform Big Bang Theory Theme.
You can stream episodes on cbs.com. You can also download The Big Bang Theory on iTunes.

The Crazy Ones: I had two thoughts while watching the premiere: 1) It is too bad Mork ages backwards because an ill conceived Mork and Mindy reboot would have been a better vehicle than this, and 2) Kelly Clarkson needs a much better agent.
You can stream episodes over at cbs.com. You can also download The Crazy Ones on iTunes.

Best of the Week: 9/28/13

Quote of the Week: Here’s one I thought I’d take to the grave: a while back YouTube changed its user interface from a star based rating system to a thumbs up ratings system. I tell people I’m okay with it but I’m really not. (Sheldon Cooper PhD, The Big Bang Theory)

Song of the Week: Islands In the Stream – Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (as sung by Wayne Brady and Wayne Brady, How I Met Your Mother)

Scene of the Week:


Big News of the Week: Power Rankings of New Fall Television: Television came back in full force this week with a slew of new shows. Surprisingly only one came D.O.A. (do not get too attacked to Lucky 7). Granted a lot of the more poorly reviewed show (We Are Men, Super Fun Night, Sean Saves the World, The Millers, Ironside, Welcome to the Family) do not premiere until next week. I did watch just over half of the ten new shows and here is absurdly premature Power Rankings:

1. The Blacklist
2. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
3. The Michael J. Fox Show
4. Back in the Game
5. The Goldbergs
6. The Crazy Ones

But who cares what I think. Here is how the shows stack up in total viewers in millions. As you can tell, it is very helpful to air after the two of the most watched shows on television like the top two shows here and not very helpful to air after another new show like the bottom three:

1. The Crazy Ones (15.52)
2. The Blacklist (12.58)
3. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (12.12)
4. The Goldbergs (8.94)
5. Back in the Game (8.01)
6. Mom (7.99)
7. The Michael J. Fox Show (7.50)
8. Hostages (7.41)
9. Trophy Wife (6.69)
10. Lucky 7 (4.43)

Although if you go by the ever more important 18-49 demo ratings, the rankings go like this:

1. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (4.7)
2. The Crazy Ones (3.9)
3. The Blacklist (3.8)
4. The Goldbergs (3.1)
5. Mom (2.5)
6. Trophy Wife (2.3)
7. Back in the Game (2.2)
8. The Michael J. Fox Show (2.2)
9. Hostages (1.8)
10. Lucky 7 (1.3)

Preview Picture of the Week:

“Wolfsangel” Sons of Anarchy, Tuesday at 10:00 on FX

Free Download of the Week: The Mother We Share – Chvrches (iTunes)

Deal of the Week: $3.99 Albums: Amazon is hosting a secret sale of albums that should be in everyone’s library including ones by Nirvana, Beastie Boys, The Police, and Boyz II Men. Update your library now on the cheap if there are holes.


New Album Release of the Week: Pure Heroine - Lorde

New DVD Release of the Week: This Is The End

Video of the Week: The triumphant return of Kenny Powers is tomorrow when the fourth and final season of Eastbound and Down premieres of HBO at 10:00. Check out a preview clip below:


Next Week Pick of the Week: Masters of Sex, Sunday at 10:00 on Showtime: Masters of Sex did not make my Power Ranking from above because it does not air until tomorrow, but if it was, it would have been number one with a bullet. To read more, check out my preview of Masters of Sex here.

Around the Tubes: 9/27/13

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Homeland, Eric Clapton, Scarecrow, Guinness World Records® Unleashed, Tom Green Live, NCIS, A Shot to Save the World, and Troubadour, TX.

- In advance of the highly- anticipated Season 3 premiere of its Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning series Homeland, Showtime will be offering a catch-up marathon of Season 2 on Saturday and Sunday, September 28th and 29th, starting at 12 p.m. ET/PT airing all twelve episodes back-to-back. Homeland stars Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Claire Danes, Emmy winner Damian Lewis, and Emmy and Tony® Award winner Mandy Patinkin, and premieres this Sunday, September 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT only on Showtime.

- In early 1974, after a three-year absence that followed Eric Clapton’s major success with Derek and the Dominos’ seminal album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, which sealed his stature as one of rock's most revered guitarists, a rejuvenated and musically refreshed Clapton stepped into the recording studio and staged a massive resurgence with his 1974/1975 trilogy of albums—461 Ocean Boulevard, which featured his first No. 1 hit single I Shot The Sheriff There's One In Every Crowd and the live E.C. Was Here—standing as one of the most remarkable rebirths in rock's history. Those albums decisively cemented the guitarist as both a musical and commercial force, while successfully staking out an entirely new set of creative challenges. The 5-CD/1-Blu-Ray™ disc box set Eric Clapton – Give Me Strength: The 1974/1975 Recordings(6SHM-CD+BLU-RAY)(ltd.) is beautifully housed in a 60-page book and captures a full year’s worth of recordings, from April 1974 to June 1975. Featured are 88 remastered, remixed, rare unreleased and live recordings, including session outtakes, from his landmark studio albums 461 Ocean Boulevard and There's One In Every Crowd, and his legendary live album E.C. Was Here. Also included is a new 5.1 Surround Sound mix of 461 Ocean Boulevard and original quadrophonic mixes of two milestone releases. 461 Ocean Boulevard and There's One In Every Crowd.

- Get ready for the next Syfy original movie Scarecrow. The summery from Syfy: "An evil scarecrow scares the sh— Er..."stuffing" out of unsuspecting teens!" Yep, it is a Syfy movie. The movie starring Lacy Chabert airs October 5 at 9:00.


- Determined record chasers are gearing up to wow viewers and secure a place in the record books when truTV's hit series Guinness World Records® Unleashed returns this fall with all new episodes, beginning Thursday, Nov. 7, at 8:00. Hosted by Dan Cortese (Veronica's Closet, Surviving Suburbia, MTV Sports), the series features daring and fearless record hopefuls as they attempt to secure their place in history by breaking some truly outrageous world records.

- New media pioneer Tom Green will bring his one-of-a-kind wit, spontaneity and irreverent attitude to AXS TV with a new interview talk show, TOM GREEN LIVE, premiering on Thursday, October 3 at 9:00. Tom Green Live is part of the network's Thursday comedy block and will follow episodes of the docu-series Gene Simmons Family Jewels at 8:00 and precede standup comedy series, Gotham Comedy Live at 10:00.

- NCIS, one of the top rated shows on television today, premiered its 11th season with a bang last night, and to celebrate, the hit series just released its official television soundtrack entitled NCIS: Benchmark! Available exclusively on Rdio, the show’s stars Pauley Perrette and Michael Weatherly both curated brand new original playlists that are made up of some of their favorite songs that inspired them to write music. Fans can now listen to the new soundtrack and playlists for free on Rdio. Aside from an awesome collection of songs on the soundtrack, there are three original tracks, two of which are by Pauley and Michael.

- It was a disease that paralyzed America — a terrifying epidemic that shut down playgrounds, parks and public pools, while leaving tens of thousands of victims in wheelchairs, iron lungs… or dead. A vaccine, developed against all odds, gave new hope. And now a coalition of global health experts is determined to eradicate the disease from the planet. A new hour-long Smithsonian Channel documentary, A Shot to Save the World, premieres on World Polio Day, Thursday, October 24 at 8:00. This powerful program reveals the dramatic story behind one of the greatest feats of medical science, the development of the first polio vaccine. It features interviews with Bill Gates, who has made world polio eradication one of his main goals, with polio survivors and with members of Dr. Jonas Salk’s pioneering medical team. It is an extraordinary story that spotlights one of the most remarkable examples of how much can be achieved when a nation—and a world-- pulls together to defeat a common enemy.

- Texas singer-songwriter television series Troubadour, TX begins its third season on September 28 with new artists and special appearances. Kris Kristofferson serves as segment host and Stacy Dean Campbell is host of the award-winning, 22-episode series. Kristofferson offers personal stories throughout the series and his thoughts of what it is to be a singer-songwriter. Campbell gives viewers a unique perspective into the lives and behind the scenes of today's Troubadours. The show begins September 28.

Previewing Masters of Sex

Oh Showtime, when you announced that you were greenlighting a show called Masters of Sex; you had me at Lizzy Caplan. They could have filled the rest of the cast with the worst actors and hired the most inept writers, and the show still would have been highly watchable just because Lizzy Caplan was starring in a show called Masters of Sex. But they did hire one competent actor Michael Sheen to star opposite as the real life William Masters who pioneered research on human sexuality to Caplan’s Virginia Johnson who was his club singer turned receptionist turned assistant.

As for the writing, the show was created by Michelle Ashford who knows her way around a historical drama penning the HBO miniseries for The Pacific and John Adams. Masters of Sex pushes the subject matter closer to modern day in the late fifties when Masters decides there are enough books on how babies are delivered and decides to research on just how babies are made. It probably helps that he himself is having a bit of trouble making a baby of his own with his wife as the show starts up.

Masters of Sex is surprisingly funny. Despite wanting to explore new scientific ground, Masters is clearly still uncomfortable talking about sex especially around other people. And the way he collects data before he conducting his study at his university is humorous and involves a quick witted prostitute. But the funniest scene in the first episode involved Beau Bridges as Sheen’s boss watching a woman, um, achieve complication through a glass, um, self pleasuring devise. Oh science. Masters of Sex is far and away the best new show you will watch this fall.

Masters of Sex airs Sundays at 10:00 on Showtime.

Previewing Homeland 3.x

After a stellar first season, Homeland took a step back last season when the writers thought that the Carrie / Brody relationship was something the viewers wanted to see more of (and the less we talk about the Dana vehicular homicide storyline, the better). But the second season did end with a bang. Quite literally when a bomb exploded outside the CIA killing Director of the Counterterrorism David Estes and 218 others. Since it was his car, Brody had to go on the run and his leaked suicide confession he made when he was going to kill the vice-president makes it even harder to clear his name.

Season three fifty-eight days after the worst attack on American soil since 9/11 and Saul has taken over Estes’ job and is ready to go Munich on those that helped in the bombing with Peter Quinn playing the role of Eric Bana. One major snag is they still have not been able to find Brody, the face of the attack. Brody is so hard to find, he does not even show up in the first to episodes (he is in the season trailer so he will unfortunately show up at some point). Quinn's boss, F. Murray Abraham also seems to have an extended role this season but it is a little unclear if he is playing a little angel on Saul's shoulder or a little devil.

That is not to say the Brody clan is completely absent from the premiere. Dana has been given a much more interesting storyline than the other one that will not be spoken about. Needless to say life has not gone well these three months since learning their father is a terrorist and Dana is taking it the hardest and we first find her in group therapy. Chris Brody, ever so oblivious does not even seem to notice his father is even gone, but then again it is hard to get a read on him on just three lines of dialogue (granted that is two more than last season). At any rate, the aftermath of the Brody family is probably much more interesting than watching Brody run from the law which is probably why that started the season with them rather than him.

Despite all the other characters on the show, Homeland remains to be about Carrie Mathison. Thankfully without Brody around, there is much less to roll your eyes about this season. Best of all is that she is off her meds and seeking “alternative treatments” which are not having the best effects so far which may not be good for her long-term employment but makes for great television. There is even a return of a crazy wall map in her house. And it would not be Homeland without a massive plot twist and the one at the end of episode one is quite a dozy and sets up what looks to be a return to form after a sophomore slump. Of course that may all change when Brody finally makes an appearance this season.

Homeland airs Sundays at 9:00 on Showtime.

Musings from the Back 9: Music Edition XVII

It is easy to write off Jack Johnson as a modern day hippie or the beach bum equivalent of a beach bum, who is so mellow he can gets lampooned by Andy Sandberg on The Mellow Show sketch on Saturday Night Live. Sure Johnson got his revenge on Samberg in the hilarious At or with Me music video. If you have already dismissed Johnson, his latest From Here to Now to You is not going to change your mind as it is filled with another batch of sleepy acoustic song. Of course if you own all or most of his previous catalogue, you will be happy to know that the new album is filled with even more sleepy acoustic songs to play in the early evening be it around a bonfire on the beach or in your landlocked back yard.

From Her to Now to You gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.


I usually start off my reviews for new albums from The Roots by saying how I thought their album releases would become far and few in between after signing on as Jimmy Fallon’s house band for Late Night, but this is actually their fifth album since taking the gig in 2009 (and there could be a sixth one coming as soon as later this year). Wise Up Ghost is their second collaborative album, but where the soul classic cover album with John Legend made sense, most people had to do a double take when it was announced they would do one with Elvis Costello. Wise Up Ghost (of which the title track is the best song on the album) continues the experimental sounds of Undun mixed with Costello’s voice and lyrics about urban decay. The combination is as weird as you would expect, but it will take many more listens before I decide if it is a good weird or a bad weird. Check back in December when I do my list of the best albums of the year to see where Wise Up Ghost lands to see where it falls.

Wise Up Ghost gets a on Terror Alert Scale.


A year before Kimbra and two years before Lorde stormed the American charts all the way from New Zealand; fellow kiwis The Naked and Famous released their ultra catchy indie-pop anthem Young Blood that should have been as big as Somebody That I Used to Know and Royals. But now that their countrywomen pushed opened the door they cracked for them, The Naked and Famous are poised for their breakout moment. Except there is nothing as intrinsically catchy on their sophomore album In Rolling Waves like Young Blood from their debut. The closest is first single Hearts Like Ours which comes off like a more mature and pensive version of Young Blood. But overall the new album is just missing some punch.

In Rolling Waves gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Previewing Genealogy Roadshow

People have been bringing their family heirlooms to PBS’s Antiques Roadshow for years to see where they have been and what they are worth and I never thought about having the show about actually people and not their possession. But after they announced the spinoff Genealogy Roadshow, premiering tonight (check your local listings), I am surprised that did not think of it earlier.

If you have seen Antiques Roadshow then you pretty much know how Genealogy Roadshow will play out. The first stop is Belmont Mansion in Nashville (which gets its own backstory) when people show up to learn about their past, be it to confirm family legend or just learn about the family they never knew. There are two genealogy experts on the show who do their research before hand and are ready to give back their findings on the show.

As it happens in the south, there are more than a few unknown mixed raced backgrounds in Nashville and the show even connects a Caucasian and an African American who both showed up for the show to learn more about their families only to learn they are actually distant relatives when their great-great grand parents came down with a case of jungle fever. While another black family learns they are actually the descendant of the very white Tennessee governor. Other people show up hoping they were related to former presidents or other famous people are not as lucky, one family goes in thinking they are related to the Pointer Sisters but find out they are actually related to Amy Grant. But the thing about geneology, if you look long enough, you will find a famous, or infamous, character or two.

The show definitely saves the best for last on tonight’s episode when a woman shows up never knowing her father or even seeing a picture of him. And what the experts find will tug at your heart strings. Aside from Nashville, season one will feature three other cities: Austin, Detroit, and San Francisco.

Geneology Roadshow airs Mondays on PBS (check your local listing. Check out a preview below:

57 Channels and Only This Is On: 9/22/13

Ray Donovan: My least favorite storyline was Bunchie and his abusive priest, so I really had to check out of this whole week. Wake me up when the next episode starts.

Under the Dome: As the show petered out at the end, at least it finished somewhat strong. We got the plot twist that it is Julia, not Barbie that is the monarch that is about to be crown. We learned that the dead lesbian was not actually a hallucination but an alien(?) taking her form to communicate. Okay we do not learn what they want. And it was disappointing that Big Jim ended the season still breathing after being teased to die a couple episodes ago. And I am never a fan of cliffhangers especially confusing ones like the dome turning white. But I am sure I will still tune in next summer because much like this summer, it is not like there will be much else on.
You can stream Under The Dome exclusively on Amazon Instant Video, free for Prime members.

Siberia: You would think after 95% of these sci-fi leaning post-Lost serial dramas get canceled in its first season, the creators would start writing these show with an actual conclusion for the season and if they are lucky enough to get a second season just go from there. But nope, they all have to end in a cliffhanger, never to be resolved. I actually thought that when the host walked into the apartment, he was going to say, “surprise, this was all fake, everyone who you thought were dead were just acting, c’mon in guys, see: still alive, alright Esther, you come in to and give these guys the split of the money.” And if they managed a second season, it could have been that leaving Siberia is not as easy as the producers thought and there really is something strange going on. But no, he just says, “You’re not supposed to be here.” Fade to black. No explanation of why there were not supposed to be there, where he has been the whole time, what happened to the producer’s camp. Nothing. Hurph.
You can stream recent episodes on Siberia on iTunes.

Sons of Anarchy: So Tara is ready to file for divorce. It is long overdue for to realize this is just not a healthy environment for her. That probably should have happened around the time her hand got broken in a car door. Or the time he drunk driving mother in law almost killed her kids. I am guessing that going to jail and Jax refusing to leave were the final two straws. Now the question is, will Jax, or Gemma, let Tara leave Charming with both boys?
You can download Sons of Anarchy on iTunes.

The Bridge: An interesting moral quandary, the snipers were ready to kill Tate, but one he wanted to be killed by Marco, no one would let him pull to the trigger to the point where Sonya shot Marco to keep him from ki8lling Tate. So we will kill people who do not want to die, but will spare the ones who openly try to be killed. So now that Tate is in custody and we still have two episodes left, just how does the ranch tie into everything? Tate did require that the ransom came from the owner so they are tied in somehow. And what about Linder? I completely forgot about him until he showed up in the promos.
You can stream recent episodes on Hulu.  You can also download The Bridge on iTunes.

The Challenge: Rivals II: We saw it just an hour earlier with Gervase on Survivor (see my First Impression of Blood vs. Water here), but I am still shocked that Cara Maria would show up to a competition show that has used water quite frequently and no know how to swim very well. Shockingly she not only managed to move on to the next stage of competition but came in first. But really, it is hard to believe half of the contestants could not finish that puzzle in under an hour. Granted if you are not smart enough to realize the horseshoe would be the easiest to put together right off the bat, it makes a little more sense.
You can download The Challenge: Rivals II on iTunes.

Best of the Week: 9/21/13

Quote of the Week: Contrary to popular belief, no money mo problems. (Larry Bird, The Neighbors)

Song of the Week: Push the Sky Away – Nick Cave and the Bad Seed (The Bridge)

Scene of the Week:


Big News of the Week: God Still Hates Cleveland: It has not been a good year for Browns fans, last season the former Browns won their second Super Bowl (which in one more than the number of Browns playoff appearances in that time) and went through yet another regime change. And then they started off with two straight losses where the AARP member sophomore quarterback Brandon Weeden hurt his thumb. Word came down Wednesday that Weeden would not be starting Sunday but instead of second string and former semi-successful starting quarterback Jason Campbell starting in his place, some dude named Brian Hoyer, who is on his fourth team in the past year, would start. You would think this would be the worst news coming out of Cleveland this week, but nope, as Bill Simmons would say, “God Hates Cleveland” and that was not even the worst news that day.

A couple hours later I was scrolling through my feed reader and saw “Trent Richardson traded to Indy for First Round Draft Pick”. At first I thought I accidentally subscribed to the least funny The Onion sports rip-off site, but no, this was no joke, the Browns traded away their top four pick from just last season (which also cost them a second rounder because they moved up to get him) and arguably their best offensive threat for a pick that, best case scenario (barring an Andrew Luck injury) will be in the teens, worst case scenario in the twenties. So welcome to Cleveland rebuilding 8.1. Yep, God Hates Cleveland.

Preview Picture of the Week:

"And the Soft Opening" 2 Broke Girls, Monday at 9:30 on CBS

Free Download of the Week: Pillow Talk – Wild Child (Noise Trade)

New Album Release of the Week: Mechanical Bull - Kings of Leon

New DVD Release of the Week: Hannibal: Season One

Video of the Week: The most anticipated show of the fall does not premiere until next Sunday, but those that cannot wait, you can watch the premiere of Master of Sex now on YouTube. Sure, Showtime edits out all the mature content from there previews so if you already subscribe, you probably want to wait the week to see the unedited episode. But if you do not subscribe, and want to check it out to see if it is worth subscribing to the premium channel (between this and the third season of Homeland, the answer is a resounding yes), you will just have to imagine the actual sex while watching. Please note embedding has been disabled so you have to head over YouTube to watch.

Next Week Pick of the Week: Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tuesday at 8:00 on ABC: Almost everything premieres next week but there is one show that stand out above all the new, and even the returning shows: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (after just writing the show out two times around, I am beginning to think I may soon just shorten it to SHIELD in the very near future). This is the first television show created by Joss Weadon since Dollhouse and firs since he directed the blockbuster The Avengers. But the thing is, the show will either end up being the biggest show on television by the end of the year or quite possibly the biggest bust ever. It is also a bit weird that there are no reviews yet because it seems like ABC did not send out many screeners for the show. Not screening something for critics is rarely a good sign which leads me to believe that the at least the Pilot is mediocre at best and ABC did not want tepid review to hurt the show and is content that name recognition will pull in more than enough viewers.

Around the Tubes: 9/20/13

I have gotten a plethora of cool press releases have been flooding my inbox recently that you may find interesting. This post will include blurbs on Fangasm, Sound of Music, First Cousin Once Removed, Tegan and Sara, Ground Floor, Cold Justice, Killer Karaoke, Bitten, Terror in the Skies, A Perfect Circle, Time of Death, and Totally Biased.

- Syfy’s latest show Fangasm premieres Tuesday at 10:00. Not sure what fangasm is? Watch this video:


- NBC’s live version of Sound of Music is finally taking shape. Carrie Underwood had already signed up for Maria and now she will be joined by Audra McDonald (as Mother Abbess), Laura Benanti (as Elsa Schrader), and Christian Borle (as Max Dettweller). There is even a new poster that you can check out below. The three hour production is set to air December 5.

- Everyone reminisces about their past, sometimes its for enjoyment, knowledge, accomplishment or sadness; Regardless of the reason, our pasts' form the people we are today. This week in First Cousin Once Removed, HBO takes us along for famed author, Edwin Honig's Alzheimer's addled journey down memory lane. Shot over the course of five years, First Cousin Once Removed documents Honig’s condition with care and compassion, displaying the same raw honesty that resonates in his poetry, written during a life steeped in tragedy, love, loss, irony and literary daring. A stark reminder of the profound role memory plays in everyone’s life, this moving essay on the fragility of being human debuts Monday at 9:00 exclusively on HBO. Check out the trailer below:


- Indie rock stars, Tegan and Sara, show off their tour closet and edgy style in the latest installment of leading e-retailer Bluefly’s popular video series, Closet Confessions. The Canadian singer-songwriter sisters are known for their infectious tunes but are also widely followed for their distinctive looks. Filming from their trailer at New York’s Pier 26 in the midst of a popular tour with fellow alt-pop band, fun. they showcase a wardrobe of eclectic, ‘90s –tinged apparel for a video that’s full of street style inspiration.

- TBS has another sitcom coming your way this November from Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence and here is your first look at Ground Floor. The lead actress is what I like to call moderately attractive.



- My one big complaint about Cold Justice is that they ended the episode abruptly and we never got to learn what came of the indictment. Well now we have our first update for the premiere episode:



- It's time for aspiring singers to start warming up their vocal cords – not to mention their courage. truTV is bringing back Killer Karaoke, the outrageous singing competition series that challenges contestants to sing a hit song while enduring the most hilarious and unexpected physical challenges imaginable. The man putting the singers through the ringer will be new host Mark McGrath. truTV has ordered eight additional episodes of Killer Karaoke, bringing its first-season total to 16. Production on the new episodes is set to begin in October in Los Angeles, with the series return slated for early 2014.

- A new breed of werewolves is coming to Syfy with the acquisition of the first season of the new Canadian scripted series Bitten from leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne). Season 1 of Bitten, consisting of 13 one-hour episodes, will premiere on Syfy in 2014. Based on the New York Times best-selling Women of the Otherworld novels by Kelley Armstrong, Bitten is an emotionally charged supernatural thriller starring Laura Vandervoort (Smallville, Ted) as Elena Michaels, the lone female werewolf in existence.

- Terror in the Skies, a gripping new series that investigates terrifying near-disasters in air travel using user generated content (UGC) from passengers and eyewitnesses, premieres Sunday, September 29 at 8:00 on Smithsonian Channel. Rapid growth in global air travel has put increasing strains on the aviation industry, and as more people take to the skies, they’re taking phones and camcorders with them. And in moments of crisis, they are capturing it all on video. Terror in the Skies gives unique insight into these alarming events. The series uncovers gut-wrenching stories of imminent disaster, told by survivors, witnesses and air-accident investigators.

- Perfect Circle, the multi-platinum rock band helmed by Maynard James Keenan (TOOL, Puscifer) and Billy Howerdel (Ashes Divide), issue Three Sixty, the outfit’s first greatest hits collection, via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) on Nov. 19. The release also includes A Perfect Circle’s first new original, studio recording in a decade with the inclusion of “By And Down,” a song written after the band returned from their self-imposed hiatus for a series of live performances throughout 2010 and 2011.

- The new Showtime six-part documentary series Time of Death will premiere on Friday, November 1 at 9:00 PM ET/PT and run for six consecutive weeks. The series will take an unflinching, in-depth look at some remarkable individuals facing their own imminent mortality. Cameras will follow brave, terminally ill individuals as they live out their final days, supported by family, friends, healthcare teams and hospice workers, who gently help guide the process.

- Here is a list of the next couple guests who will be chatting with W. Kamau Bell on upcoming Totally Biased episodes:

Monday, Sept. 23: Actor Jeffrey Wright (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) Tuesday, Sept. 24: Author Tim Wise (“Dear White America,” “White Like Me”) Wednesday, Sept. 25: Van Jones (CNN’s Crossfire) Thursday, Sept. 26: Musician Big Freedia Monday, Sept. 30: Blogger and Radio Host Jay Smooth (WBAI’s Underground Railroad) Tuesday, Oct. 1: Jesse Ventura (author, “They Killed Our President”) Wednesday, Oct. 2: Comedian Hannibal Buress Thursday, Oct. 3: TBD

First Impressions: Survivor: Blood vs. Water

Before last season was over, there were rumors floating around the internets that this season of Survivor would be returnees vs. loved ones and with a name like Blood vs. Water, it made sense. So when the cast of Survivor: Blood vs. Water was finally unveiled there was little surprise (except no Rob Cesternino or RC who were on the spoiler list) to the people who saw the spoilers way back in May. It was also confirmed that the theme involves returning players taking on family members (sure half the pairs are not actually related by blood, but hey, it is reality TV, they take their fair share of liberties).

Headlining the returning players is the most entertaining former Survivor ever Kat from One World. But with the exception of Kat, Survivor is really doing its best to make this the worst season of the show ever (which is a tall feat after the Boston Rob debacle that was Redemption Island), instead of bringing in Kat’s awesome cousin, her “Blood” is her boyfriend who apparently won some other crappy reality show. Then most of the other returning players range from who would want to see them ever again to just who? Most notably on the former is gay Republican racist Colton also from One World (along with his fiancé) and the latter is Laura from Samoa who brought her daughter (who is quite attractive so that kind of makes sense as to why bring her back for this). They also brought back two of their most boring winners ever in Tina from Australia (and her daughter) and Aras from Panama: Exile Island (and his brother with an even more random name Vytas). What, was the porn star and the wife who beat him up not available to participate this season?

The most disappointing returnee after Colton has to be yet another One World cast member Monica Culpepper who was listed as “wife of NFL player” during her season, so initially I was excited to see her and her husband Dante on the show. Except she is not married to former Vikings quarterback Dante Culpepper, she is married to some dude named Brand Culpepper. He did start eighty-three games at defensive end in the league back in the nineties, but I still feel misled. Also returning to tie Boston Rob in all time appearances is Rupert Boneham (with his wife), while Tyson Apostol (with his girlfriend) and Candice Cody (nee Woodcock, and her husband) are both back for number three. The other former player is Gervase back for the first time since the very first season thirteen years ago. He will be playing alongside his niece.

But as unimpressive as most of the returnees are, the show is bringing back one thing that is actually worse than bringing back Colton: Redemption Island. And the new Redemption Island rules are so complicated. So two people were originally sent right off the bat (shockingly Colton did not get one vote), but then their loved ones can decide to replace them at Redemption Island if voted off their tribe. So Candice gets voted off the returning tribe while Rupert’s wife also got the boot but Rupert took her place. Wow, Candice for Rupert’s wife: that is a really bad trade off for the returning tribe.

And even with Rupert, the returning tribe was outgunned, the other tribe has a former NFL player, a winner of another reality show, all the girls are young and agile, and they got rid of their one weak link early. All the returners have are Tyson, the boring Aras, Kat, an aging Gervase, and they got stuck with Rupert’s wife. But the returners showed why they are veterans crushing their loved ones at the puzzle. Poor Marissa, her uncle clowning everyone after his win sent her packing to Redemption.

As much as I hated the new (and old) twists, it does set up some intrigue of who are willing to sell out their loved ones, and who will fall on the sword. Despite winning, the returners have two large pieces of dead weight in Rupert’s wife and Colton who is poised to sabotage his tribe from the inside. As for a prediction, I am going to go with my girl Kat.

Survivor: Blood vs. Water airs Wednesdays at 8:00 on CBS. You can download Survivor: Blood vs. Water on iTunes.

Previewing Secret Life of Predators

Fan of nature specials, you are in luck because the next one, Secret Life of Predators, premieres this Friday at 8:00 and will be simulcast on both the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild. As the title would suggest, if you are an animal lover, you may want to avoid because there is plenty of graphic animal on animal crime. It is so graphic in detail; they even introduce a carcass cam where you can witness what it looks like to be eaten by a cheetah.

The four part series starts off with Naked. I am not entirely sure why it is named that or why any of the episodes are named as they are (aside from the last one Wet which takes place in the ocean). The show even ponied up to get a Snow Patrol song as its theme and each episode will feature another adult contemporary song or two include a humorous scene where they use Stubborn Love by The Lumineers to accompany two fish setting up house together.

In the first episode you will see how such divers animals from secretary birds, who stomp their prey to death, to longhaired hedgehogs find their next meals. And over the next three episodes you will meet ninja frogs who keep wasps away from their eggs, dolphins who beach themselves for food, a lion try to find food with a broken jaw, and even an arctic fox that urinates on one of the cameras. The landscapes and shots are as beautiful as you expect from a show like this which will only be enhanced if you witness it in HD.

Secret Life of Predators premieres Friday at 8:00 with another episode following at 9:00 with the final two episodes airing the following Friday (September 27) starting at 9:00 on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild.

The 100 Greatest Songs Featured in Grand Theft Auto

Today sees the release of Grand Theft Auto V which is rumored to have over four hundred songs including in the game (compared to just over six hundred in the previous games combined). Of course by the time you read this, you will probably find the exact songs somewhere on the internets and this list will already be outdated because it only covers songs featured up to Grand Theft Auto IV. You can listen to this list on Spotify at right.

1. Nuthin' but a "G" Thang - Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg

2. Sister Christian - Night Ranger

3. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

4. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

5. In the Air Tonight - Phil Collins

6. Cult of Personality - Living Colour

7. Running with the Night - Lionel Richie

8. I Know You Got Soul - Eric B. and Rakim

9. Strange Times - The Black Keys

10. Tempted - Squeeze

11. I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

12. Killing In the Name - Rage Against the Machine

13. Children's Story - Slick Rick

14. The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

15. 1979 - The Smashing Pumpkins

16. Blue Monday - New Order

17. Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe

18. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses

19. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' - Michael Jackson

20. Express Yourself - N.W.A.

21. Wishing Well - Terence Trent D'Arby

22. I'll Be There for You / You're All I Need to Get By - Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige

23. It Takes Two - Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock

24. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

25. Remedy - The Black Crowes

26. Bump N' Grind - R. Kelly

27. I Love a Rainy Night - Eddie Rabbitt

28. Out of Touch - Hall and Oates

29. Run to You - Bryan Adams

30. Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks

31. Check Yo Self ('The Message' Remix) - Ice Cube featuring Das EFX

32. Get At Me Dog - DMX and Sheek

33. Motownphilly - Boyz II Men

34. (Explative Deleted) Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin') - Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg

35. Freek'n You - Jodeci

36. My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) - En Vogue

37. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye

38. The One Thing - INXS

39. Barracuda - Heart

40. Self Control - Laura Branigan

41. Gloria - Laura Branigan

42. A Horse With No Name - America

43. Waiting for a Girl Like You - Foreigner

44. Africa - Toto

45. I Ran (So Far Away) - A Flock of Seagulls

46. Love Is a Battlefield - Pat Benatar

47. Low Rider - War

48. Crazy - Willie Nelson

49. Working for the Weekend - Loverboy

50. Sunglasses at Night - Corey Hart

51. Voices Carry - Til Tuesday

52. It Was a Good Day - Ice Cube

53. Something About You - Level 42

54. Cum On Feel the Noize - Quiet Riot

55. Nightshift - The Commodores

56. Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown

57. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) - Marvin Gaye

58. I'm Not In Love - 10cc

59. Queen of Hearts - Juice Newton

60. Two Tickets to Paradise - Eddie Money

61. I Can Dream About You - Dan Hartman

62. Baby Hold On - Eddie Money

63. Maneater - Hall and Oates

64. Wanted Dead or Alive - Bon Jovi

65. How I Could Just Kill a Man - Cypress Hill

66. Unsung - Helmet

67. Green Onions - Booker T. and The MG's

68. Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

69. I Wanna Rock - Twisted Sister

70. Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra

71. Heart of Glass - Blondie

72. The Warrior - Scandel

73. Alwayz Into Somethin' - N.W.A.

74. In a Big Country - Big Country

75. You Dropped a Bomb On Me - Gap Band

76. Young Turks - Rod Stewart

77. We Belong - Pat Benatar

78. Movin' On Up - Primal Scream

79. Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions

80. Green River - Creedence Clearwater Revival

81. Easy Lover - Philip Bailey and Phil Collins

82. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister

83. Deep Cover - Dr. Dre and Snoop Doggy Dogg

84. Footsteps In the Dark, Pts. 1 and 2 - The Isley Brothers

85. Keep On Loving You - REO Speedwagon

86. Buffalo Stance - Neneh Cherry

87. Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes

88. (I Just) Died in Your Arms - Cutting Crew

89. Turn You Inside-Out - R.E.M.

90. Renegade - Styx

91. Tainted Love - Gloria Jones

92. Harden My Heart - Quarterflash

93. Steppin' Out - Joe Jackson

94. You've Got Another Thing Comin' - Judas Priest

95. One Thing Leads to Another - The Fixx

96. Plush - Stone Temple Pilots

97. Between the Sheets - The Isley Brothers

98. The Payback - James Brown

99. White Wedding (Part 1) - Billy Idol

100. Runnin' Down a Dream - Tom Petty