New Britney!

The Killers’s “All These Things I’ve Done” Covered For Charity

War Child, the international network of charities that work to improve the lives of children affected by war, has pulled together some up-and-coming UK musicians for a follow-up single to their “War Child: Heroes, Vol. 1” disc of earlier this year.

The artists, collectively known as the Young Soul Rebels, tackle a slightly-reworked “All These Things That I’ve Done” by The Killers, focusing on the love it or hate it “I got soul but I’m not a soldier” chorus.

The Young Soul Rebels consist of N-Dubz, Pixie Lott, Tinchy Stryder, Frankmusik, V.V. Brown, Kid British, Chipmun, Mpho, McLean, Ironik, Domino Go, Bashy, Egypt, and the London Community Gospel Choir.

The MP3 will be available Oct 19.

VMA Tribute To Michael Jackson

Very well done, MTV.

PS: Janet’s new single, “Make Me”, which “pays loving tribute to” Michael’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, is currently streaming on Janet’s website.

Quoted: Lady Gaga

“This is for God and The Gays.”

- Lady Gaga’s closing statement of her VMA acceptance speech as winner, Best New Artist.

Michael Jackson Film: New Details, Release Date

More info on the film I first reported on here.

The Times:

The documentary compiled from Michael Jackson’s rehearsals for the concert series he was preparing when he died will be released in theaters earlier than expected and will be shown for only two weeks. In a news release, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment said that the documentary, called “Michael Jackson THIS IS IT,” would open on Oct. 28, two days sooner than originally announced, and that tickets for the film would go on sale Sept. 27 in most cities. The movie will be directed by Kenny Ortega, the director and choreographer who was working with Mr. Jackson on his planned “This Is It” concerts, a series of 50 shows that Mr. Jackson was to have performed at London’s O2 Arena beginning in July. Sony, which paid $60 million for the film in a deal between the studio, the Jackson estate and the concert promoter AEG Live, said the documentary would draw upon more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage and rehearsals shot between April and June.

I suspect Sony is using the “limited release” threat to drum up sales and I wouldn’t be surprised if the planned two-week run was miraculously extended if the ticket sales (which they are conveniently starting a month before hand) are high.

Needless to say, I WILL SEE THIS.

Michael Jackson Rehearsal Footage To Be Released In Theaters October 30

The NY Times:

“[The] film is to include scenes of Mr. Jackson rehearsing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, along with a career retrospective and interviews with friends and collaborators, and parts of it will be in 3-D.”

I’ll be curious to see what this movie becomes.  Do they have enough footage to basically “create” the concert?  How much time is going to be given to the ‘talking heads’?  Are they going to go on and on and on about his whole life or are they going to be focus on the concert?  While a retrospective might be interesting (are there things we don’t know?!), I’m hoping this sticks as much as possible to him dancing and singing – simple and sweet.

Agnes – Release Me (Cahill Club Mix)

Okay, Guetta and Rowland’s “When Love Takes Over” definitely takes the title “Song Of The Summer” but Agnes’s track (I’ve never heard of her either) “Release Me” is daaamn fun, especially this Cahill remix.

Add it to your summer and gym playlists and enjoy!

Agnes – Release Me (Cahill Club Mix)

Whitney Houston – “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” – Remixes

The remixes to Whitney’s somewhat boring first single are rather slow to come out.  Here are the Rafael Lelis radio and club remixes; they’re pretty decent, slightly trance-y.

I Didn’t Know My Own Strength (Rafael Lelis Radio Edit)

I Didn’t Know My Own Strength (Rafael Lelis Club Mix)

Enjoy!

Frankmusik Releases Debut Album “Complete Me”

Frankmusik released his highly-anticipated debut album “Complete Me” in the UK on Monday and I’m sharing three of the tracks!

The album was produced by Mr. Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers), although the deluxe edition comes with a second CD that was mixed by Frankmusik himself and contains many of the same tracks.

I was able to listen to all but one track of the album during my morning commute and it’s a fun little album.  Most of tracks don’t go much past the 3-minute mark and have a fun, upbeat, lush-pop feeling to them.

Recommended for fans of Mika and/or Patrick Wolf.

Frankmusik – 3 Little Words

Frankmusik – Gotta Boyfriend?

Frankmusik – When You’re Around

I couldn’t find a US release date for “Complete Me”, soooo….

Previously:

Frankmusik – Rehab (Amy Winehouse Cover)

Frankmusik – Better Off As Two

More: Frankmusik.com

Enjoy!

Madonna – Celebration (Benny Benassi Remixes)

I think Madonna’s original track is pretty decent and I love how club-ready it is but I am really enjoying Benny Benassi’s take.

Madonna – Celebration (Benny Benassi Radio Mix)

Madonna – Celebration (Benny Benassi Club Mix)

Enjoy!

(PS: The “club” mix is a mere 5 min, 29 sec but is still 1:30 longer than the radio edit.)

New Dragonette!

Dragonette – Gone Too Far

The song’s music video is on their Facebook page.

Thanks to Mossip.

Previously:

Dragonette – Fixin To Thrill

Dragonette – Take It Like A Man

Dragonette – I Get Around

Enjoy!

Track-By-Track Review Of Whitney Houston’s New Album

Clay Cane at the BET blog “Entertainment Spotlight” has a brief track-by-track review of Whitney’s new album, as presented at a listening party last night (“the tracks are still being polished.”)

The review isn’t gushing but the reviewer was definitely impressed with what he heard:

Overall, the nine tracks that were played received a good response. The album definitely has the potential to be a hit.  For Whitney, there is no such thing as a “comeback” — icons “don’t call it a comeback,” they just jump back in the game whenever they are ready.  One thing I do know is no one should expect 1985 Whitney.  Artists evolve and it’s limiting when we trap performers in a particular box or era.  The best piece about the tracks is that Whit has some grit to her voice, her vocals are still strong but she doesn’t mind getting a bit nasty with it.  While the album isn’t finished, I believe folks will be pleasantly surprised.

His full review here.

The album, “I Look To You”, drops September 1.

Preview Clip Of New Madonna Track!

The song is one of four tracks Madonna collaborated with Paul Oakenfold for, all of which will be on Madonna’s forthcoming greatest hits album. The below track, “Celebrate,” is set to hit radio July 28.

It’s unabashedly dance floor ready and I LOVE IT.

Via Boy Culture.

NY Post Pre-Reviews Mika’s New Album

Julian Broad just got his hands on some snippets from Mika’s new album, titled “We Are Golden” and due September 20 (should have been a summer album!), and he was mighty impressed:

To kick things off, the brilliant first single, also named “We Are Golden,” will begin to stream on Mika’s Web site on July 20. Not one to waste time, a video for the track, helmed by acclaimed Swedish director Jonas Akerlund, is also currently in being shot in the UK.

“We Are Golden” features the Andrae Crouch Gospel Choir (from Madonna’s “Like A Prayer”), defiant declarations of hope and a driving beat, while the floor-stomping song “Blame It On the Girls” begs for us to sing-along. The tracks “Rain” and “Dr. John” mix a 60s beach blanket bonanza with bona fide dance floor anthems, a lot like his hit “Relax” did in ‘07. Oh, and don’t worry, Mika-ballad babies, the tune “Toy Boy” will leave you weeping for tons more from this fella’. Tons more than this one lonely CD can offer.

The album was produced by Mika and Greg Wells (Katy Perry, P!nk) and features a cameo by Imogen Heap.

CAN. NOT. WAIT. FOR. THIS.

“Toy Boy” was released on the physical edition of the “Songs For Sorrow” EP, which I posted two tracks from here.

Listen to “Toy Boy”, set to a fan-made music video, after the jump.

Introducing: La Roux

After a few EPs, British duo La Roux’s debut LP has finally landed and it’s some pretty damn good “synthpop.” Here are the LP’s strongest tracks, IMO:

Quicksand

Bulletproof

The US release date is set for September 29, a cruel four weeks after the UK release. If y’all like it, I’ll post some more tracks to hold you over in the meantime.

Enjoy!

More La Roux: Wiki | MySpace | Website

New Daniel Merriweather Remix

The last time I posted about Daniel Merriweather, it was to share the AMAZING duet with Adele from his Mark Ronson-produced sophomore album, “Love and War.”

That track has still not been released as a single (WTF?!) but the album’s first single – which features an unexpected appearance by Wale, a member of hip hop’s so-called freshman class – has just been given the remix treatment by Gigamesh.

The remix is slightly sped-up and given a heavier beat. It’s a mild but welcomed tweak for anyone that doesn’t care for Daniel’s more mellow, R&B flavor.

Change (ft. Wale) (Gigamesh Remix)

Enjoy!

New Whitney!

Whitney’s loooong-awaited comeback album, titled “I Look To You”, will drop September 1 and the first single is here.

The song is a slow tempo ballad that doesn’t take her voice out of the middle range or feature any decent climax. On the up-side, her voice does sound good, it’s not super-over-produced, and there’s no auto-tune! (I have such low standards for the music industry these days.)

Hopefully the remixers can work their magic on this.

Whitney Houston – I Didn’t Know My Own Strength

Aren’t People Like Michael Supposed To Live Forever?

Speechless and so sad. Rest in peace, Michael, you were a god among men.

For example, the debut of the moonwalk. No over-sized set pieces. No projection screens. No pyrotechnics. No backup dancers. And it’s completely and utterly engrossing:

Label: New Whitney Houston Album In September

Reuters is reporting that Arista has announced that Whitney’s long-awaited ‘come back’ album – her first in seven years – will be released in September 2009.

You may remember that in January, Whitney’s mentor and mega-guru Clive Davis said the album would be out in March 2009 before quickly back-peddling.

It will be interesting to see whether this album stands-out as a genuine Whitney come back or a generic, well-produced pop album. Whitney’s recent live performances have left something to be desired and with her age – 45 – there’s no way she’s going to have the range she once did.

More Michael Jackson Concert Drama

I told you this was only the beginning…

Yesterday, Michael Jackson spoke briefly with fans as he left a rehearsal at a LA dance studio and he noted that he only signed on for 10 shows and that he didn’t know his management signed him up for 50 until he saw it on the news the next morning:

“I’m really angry with them booking me up to do 50 shows. I only wanted to do 10, and take the tour around the world to other cities, not 50 in one place. I went to bed knowing I sold 10 dates, and woke up to the news I was booked to do 50.“

Um, wow miscommunication.

Jackson also stated:

“I don’t know how I’m going to do 50 shows. I’m not a big eater – I need to put some weight on.”

I really wish I would be able to see him but part of me thinks the emotional rollercoaster leading up to the is not worth what very well may be a shitty, overly-reliant-on-backup-dancers-and-expensive-set-pieces show.

Source.

Mr. Hudson Featuring Kanye West

Remember the featuring credit on Kanye West’s track “Paranoid” referring to a “Mr. Hudson”?

Well, the roles are reversed and Mr. Hudson has put out a new track featuring a Kanye solo (and yes, he’s auto-tuned).

It’s a great, up-tempo track and definitely makes me want to get more into this guy and his band, Mr. Hudson and the Library.

Mr. Hudson – Supernova (ft. Kanye West)

The above track comes from Mr. Hudson’s second album, “Straight No Chaser”, to be released on August 3.

Enjoy!

Best Music Video?

Ok, not ‘of all time’ but this new video from Yeah Yeah Yeahs is pretty close to perfection: a dancing werewolf in homage to Michael Jackson, decapitation, and red glitter. (Oh, and a bitchin’ song.) BRILLIANT.

New Wilco

“Wilco (The Album)” will be released June 30 and here’s one of the tracks.

Bull Black Nova

Enjoy!

New Modest Mouse!

Come August, Modest Mouse will release “No One’s First and You’re Next,” a collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks from their last two studio albums: “Good News for People Who Love Bad News” (2004) and “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” (2007).

The first single from the eight-track EP is “Satellite Skin” and was released today.

Modest Mouse – Satellite Skin

Enjoy!

Michael Jackson Delays Start Of Tour

Sigh.  I wanted to believe that Michael had gotten his shit together but apparently he’s the same ol’ hot mess:

Jackson has reschedule the first four dates of his fifty-date run at London’s O2 Arena; opening night has been moved from July 8 to July 13.

Rescheduling to buy yourself five days?!  LAME.

But wait, there’s more: the other dates that are being rescheduled – July 10, 12, and 14 – are being moved to the end of the tour in March 2010.  QUADRUPLE LAME.

It’s great that the people that managed to snag opening night tickets will still get to experience opening night – I mean, there would have been riots – but I feel bad for the second-, third-, and fourth-night ticketholders that will have to wait an extra eight months for their show.

Something tells me there is going to be a lot more drama before the end of this…

Source.

Coldplay Live CD – “LeftRightLeftRightLeft”

Coldplay on Friday began distributing via their website a free nine-track CD of live performances captured from various dates on their tour.

It’s a good collection of tracks and the tremendous enthusiasm of the Coldplay crowd really helps elevate the energy.

Go here for your copy. Thanks Coldplay!

New Music From Mika!

Mika is set to release an EP titled “Songs For Sorrow” and I’ve got two of the tracks below.

Three of the EP’s tracks will be available to download from Mika’s website tomorrow, May 15, at 12:30 PM (timezone unclear); the four-track physical version will be available June 8 at MikaSounds.com, Lanvin stores in London, and Paul Smith stores worldwide.

Mika’s apparently also has an LP on the way but details are pretty scarce.

These two songs are more along the tempo of “Any Other World” than “Grace Kelly” but it’s still nice to hear his voice again.

Mika – Lonely Alcoholic

Mika – Lady Jane

Enjoy!

New Dragonette!

Dragonette is slated to release their next LP, “Fixin To Thrill” in “August or September” and they’ve made the title track available for download on their MySpace page, ‘cuz they’re dope like that. Here it is:

Dragonette – Fixin To Thrill

If you don’t yet know Dragonette’s fun, party-ready mix of catchy melodies and cheeky lyrics, you should.  Start with these:

Dragonette – Take It Like A Man

Dragonette – I Get Around

Enjoy!

(Thanks Sean!)

“The Killers” Live On Letterman

I recently saw the promo for The Killer’s appearance on Letterman but I assumed it was a repeat because who knew they were still promoting Day & Age?

Well, apparently they are and the pulled out all the stops for their performance of “Dustland Fairytale” last night; see: full orchestra.

(Thanks Towleroad!)

New Lily Allen B-Side

Here’s a new b-side from Lily Allen’s “Not Fair” EP (it was also released on the “Fuck You” EP in some regions/formats).

It’s a fun, cute track – I’m becoming such a Lily fan!

Enjoy!

Lily Allen – Why