Four words and one letter: Karen O in a bikini. Enjoy!
Category: Videos (Page 25 of 96)
Nicole Richie. Luke Wilson. Cecil Fielder. Ethan Cohen. Bill Murray. Don Felder. Stephen King. Jerry Bruckheimer. All these individuals are celebrating a birthday today, but there are two others that deserve special praise. The first is Christopher Joseph Glotfelty. The writer-musician-philanthropist is probably best known to the American public as a blogger for Eat Sleep Drink Music, Premium Hollywood, and Scores Report. Often mistaken for Benny from “The Sandlot,” he is 24 today.
Then we have Mr. Lenoard Cohen. Perhaps the most beloved musician to ever emerge from Canada, Cohen continuously receives critical adoration on par with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Paul Simon as an older, yet active musician. Funny enough, Cohen first gained attention for his books of poetry, only venturing into the music business once he reached his 30s. After falling in with Andy Warhol and the “Factory” crowd, Cohen’s debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, failed to make a huge impact. However, Cohen was persistent and recorded vigorously during the 70s, as songs like “Bird on the Wire” and “Famous Blue Raincoat” slowly increased his appeal. Numerous albums, books of poetry, and awards later, Cohen still has that creative spark. In 2008, he began touring for this first time in 15 years and recieved favorable reviews. During his time off, Cohen spent five years in seclusion becoming a Zen Buddhist monk at the Mt. Baldy Zen Center. Unfortunately, in 2005, he was involved in a lawsuit with longtime manager Kelley Jensen, which he later won.
Cohen turns 75 today and will celebrate while performing in Barcelona. It’s unbelievable, considering he fainted onstage in Valencia, Spain two days ago in the middle of “Bird on the Wire.” And he’s back already? Even at 75, he’s more dedicated than most of these youngsters.
Ladies and gentleman, I’m on cloud nine. I woke up in a bad mood and now I want to hug everyone I see. Pavement has confirmed that they will reunite and tour next year. All that’s been announced at this juncture is they will play at the Central Park SummerStage in NYC. Even better, the first show of event is scheduled for September 21st, which is my birthday. It’s very difficult to write journalistically right now as the music gods are doing everything they can to make my head explode. A ticket pre-sale begins tomorrow and I’m already daydreaming about flying to New York with my buddy Derrick, each of us taking our guitars, staying in some seedy hotel, and then waking up in the morning ready to catch this magnificent band. Pavement is often regarded as the most important band from the 90s, but I can never find the right words to describe them. Simply put, they’re my favorite band. Funny enough, I didn’t discover Pavement until a few years ago. While the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Beach Boys will forever remain in my top five, I was getting fed up with the fact I only listened to older music. I understand Pavement isn’t considered “new” music, as they did break up in 1999. Still, their sound combined the influences of grunge and pop – the two genres that defined the 90s. As we’ve witnessed in the last decade, the advent of electronic music and crunk rap is tolerable at best. Trends, by definition, don’t have staying power, but when judged against the barometer of quality, 90s music destroys their competitors from the last nine years. True, Nirvana may have held the torch, but Pavement didn’t want to. I have no qualms in saying that Pavement is the closest thing we’ve gotten to the Beatles in the last 40 years. While not nearly as popular, Pavement spearheaded an era in music, produced amazing album after amazing album, and are now regarded as “timeless.” They weren’t experimental (Radiohead), avant-garde (Sonic Youth), or flashy (Smashing Pumpkins). Like the Beatles, they were just a few normal dudes who just happened to be more talented than everyone else.
Per Matador Records…
After years of speculation, the most important American band of the 1990’s is returning to the stage, with the lineup of Mark Ibold, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West reuniting for dates around the world in 2010. Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion.
Described in their own Wikipedia entry as having experienced “moderate commercial success”, Pavement’s catalog for the Matador, Domino, Drag City and Treble Kicker imprints has come to define in the eyes of many the blueprint for independent rock over the past generation. In spite of this, the records are still pretty fantastic, and we’re fully prepared to remind you of such with a details-to-be-determined compilation album planned for release sometime in 2010.
The first show announced is a New York performance on September 21, 2010 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. Things worked out really well when Diana Ross played Central Park in 1983, and we have no reason to suspect Pavement’s return to the live arena won’t generate similar headlines.
I’m so excited!
If all else fails, cry. As a child, the tactic isn’t a guaranteed success, but as an adult it often works wonders. When somebody cries, especially in front of you, it’s nearly impossible to avoid considering their point of view. Kanye West wanted people to believe he was sorry for what he did to Taylor Swift (or, he just wanted people to like him again) and he resorted to the strategy in front of a large TV audience. Hats off to Jay Leno for giving him this opportunity during the comedian’s big premiere. I doubt “The Jay Leno Show” will often venture into these emotional forays, but that wouldn’t be a bad idea. The new program is virtually the same as the “Tonight Show” was under Leno’s reign. That’s why I’d love to see random appearances and pairings of musicians Leno’s made friends with over the years. As a reward for his loyalty, NBC should give Jay some freedom. Did Leno really want Jay-Z as his first musical guest? I doubt it.
Back to Kanye. Since I’ve never had any opinion on the hip-hopper, I’ve been able to take in this whole situation objectively. This whole catastrophe actually arose from a feeling we’ve all had at some point or another: the inability to sit idly by while witnessing something wrong. Kanye’s actions on Sunday stemmed from his passion for an ideal society where quality music is recognized. He’s openly stated in the past that he feels awards shows are rigged. He’s completely right as far as the VMAs are concerned, but a single celebrity’s “stand” is not going change the show forever. Kanye willingly became part of the MTV system when he agreed to enter his music videos and perform at the VMAs in the past. Yes, Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” video was much “better” than Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” Kanye felt this was an injustice. In terms of art, Beyonce was slighted, but considering this was the MTV Video Music Awards, nothing was out of whack. In his off-the-cuff interview on “The Jay Leno Show,” Kanye says his “dream of what awards shows are supposed to be” in effect caused Taylor Swift’s pain. Given his talent and prior statements, I believe him. But Kanye, these were the VMAs, put on by MTV. You’ve been around for some time now — you know how the game works. Next time you want to make a public statement about the music industry, think it through beforehand. I’m not saying the message needs to be appropriate, but the time and setting better be.
There’s a formula to most awards shows — especially the Video Music Awards. You would think Kanye West knew that, considering he’s a self-proclaimed expert on pop culture. Case in point: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” beat out Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” for Best Female Video. However, “Single Ladies” won for Video of the Year. Simple logic states that, if “Single Ladies” is the Video of the Year, it should also be the Best Female Video since Beyonce, as we know, is a dame. But the VMAs don’t work that way. They never have. When MTV lost its edge over 10 years ago, the network turned into an advertising agency instead of an important voice covering all things music. It wouldn’t be good business to have Beyonce win both awards. By spreading the love around, MTV is essentially recognizing the artists that have been the most lucrative to their business. Last night, nobody walked away with multiple trophies — because there’s a formula.
I always assumed Kanye was privy to this knowledge. When he jumped on stage and forced the mic out of Taylor Swift’s hands, the younger generation was undoubtedly excited. More stars! More stars! To those who think of Kanye as a trouble-making crybaby, they could sense he was up to no good. Shouting that his friend Beyonce’s video was “one of the best videos of all time,” he proved he doesn’t “get” the give-and-take ethos of pop culture at all. He’s just as clueless as the millions of adolescents that stayed up late to root for Taylor Swift.
Kanye’s assessment was correct, of course. “Single Ladies” is artistically creative, utilizing lighting and choreography to a dazzling effect — much more tantalizing than Swift’s run-of-the-mill product. Still, I wanted Taylor Swift to win and when she did, I hung on her every word as she beamed with gratitude. I knew Beyonce would capture Best Video of the Year later in the evening, so this truly was “Taylor’s moment.” Thus, Kanye West has effectively become the villain of the free world. Asked to leave, he blogged from his pad in New York:
I’m sooooo sorry to Taylor Swift and her fans and her mom [Andrea]. I spoke to her mother right after and she said the same thing my mother would’ve said. She is very talented! I like the lyrics about being a cheerleader and she’s in the bleachers! …………………… I’m in the wrong for going on stage and taking away from her moment!…………….. Beyonce’s video was the best of this decade!!! I’m sorry to my fans if I let you guys down!!!!! I’m sorry to my friends at MTV. I will apologize to Taylor 2mrw. Welcome to the real world!!!! Everybody wanna booooo me but I’m a fan of real pop culture!!! No disrespect but we watchin’ the show at the cribe right now cause…. Well you know!!!! I’m still happy for Taylor!!!! Boooyaawww!!!! You are very talented!!!!! I gave my awards to Outkast when they deserved it over me… That’s what it is!!!! I’m not crazy yall, I’m just real. Sorry for that!!! I really feel bad for Taylor and I’m sincerely sorry!!! Much Respect!!!!!
The post, actually written in all caps, was soon taken down. I’m sure Kanye’s agent noticed the blatant insincerity. Here’s what he’s currently been able to muster:
I feel like Ben Stiller in “Meet the Parents” when he messed up everything and Robert De Niro asked him to leave…That was Taylor’s moment and I had no right in any way to take it from her. I am truly sorry.
Setting things right, after accepting her Moon Man, Beyonce invited Taylor Swift to the stage to give the acceptance speech that Kanye West prevented hours earlier. It was a nice moment, considering Swift’s humble attitude is years removed from the “look-at-me” persona cultivated by Kanye West.
Still, we all owe Kanye a huge “thank you.” He’s reminded us that musicians are under the scrutiny of the public eye as well. Funny enough that this happened on a night paying tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Tabloids, comedians, and half-assed reporting ostracized Jackson from society. The depression it caused, it could be said, led to his death. America has the uncanny ability to bring stars to life as well as kill them. I’ve heard quality pundits state, concerning Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, that if we don’t stop with the constant ridicule, they could be dead in 10 years. I couldn’t agree more. While I don’t think America will “hate” Kanye for more than a few months, viewers could sense the visceral scorn at any mention of his name. Kanye will continue to sell millions of albums and have a lengthy career. Regardless, he’s now public enemy number one in Hollywood. All it took were a few words.
So, we’ll see how this plays out. He couldn’t have picked a more juicy moment as he’s scheduled to perform alongside Jay-Z and Rhianna tonight on the premier of “The Jay Leno Show.” Will the crowd boo Kanye? Will he even be there? Either way, Leno’s probably wishing he had booked a safer act like, I don’t know, Neil Diamond.
“The Jay Leno Show” premiers tonight at 10 PM PT/ET on NBC.
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