Paraphernalia

Bah Humbug!

The theme for the week is Christmas. I'm not a huge fan so my entries will likely not be your typical Christmas fare. Since it's monday and that is supposed to be music day, here's a little ditty by the Pogues. It's a youtube video but there's not any real video, just the song playing. And since the words a bit difficult to understand, I've posted the lyrics after the jump. Ho ho ho bitches!

“A lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That's why they don't get what they want.”

Madonna

First of all, a big WOOT WOOT to Madge/Esther Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone for being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. How awesome would it be if she told Jesus to suck it at her acceptance speech!? Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure she wont, I think she's moved on.

Truth or Dare was on TV the other day. I understand not everyone is as big a fan of her as us gaybos. I know she's not the best singer or dancer or most talented performer or artist. But while watching the movie the other day I realized how silly all her antics seem now and how ridiculous all the furor and controversy was that surrounded her.

Frankly, I think she deserves mucho credit. She was very vocal about the hypocrisies and dangers of the Catholic church. She stood up for free speech and artistic expression (regardless of content) when MAJOR forces were trying their best to shut her up. When her drive and ambition rubbed people the wrong way, she was labeled a bitch; she pointed out that when a man is decisive and demanding he's venerated and respected instead of insulted. She talked about AIDS compassionately when it was taboo and feared. She unapologetically expressed her sexuality - when her Playboy pictures surfaced, she said "So what?" and that was the end of the drama.

She was also one of the first people in my, albeit limited, world to promote a positive image of homosexuality. It made a huge impact on me even though I wouldn't be coming out until about 3 or 4 years after the movie came out (as Lady Raptastic would say "Do not judge."). Her experimenting with gender rolls and fluid sexual orientation was revolutionary.

I could go on and on. But I wont. I'm just going to highly recommend netflixing Truth or Dare and then shut up.

The original spice girls

I liked Salt-N-Pepa back in the day. At least in the way a white, young, suburban, gay, Texas boy could. "Push It", "Whatta Man" and "Let's Talk About Sex" jump to mind. But I never owned any of their albums nor could I have picked them out of a line-up. Truth is I had not really given them any thought in years.

When I saw they had a reality show I thought, let me give this a chance and see what its all about; and I'm soooo happy I did.

Cheryl "Salt" Wray abruptly left the group, and supposedly the entire music industry around 2000. As I understand, she didn't even tell Pepa what was up or keep in touch with her. She said she was suffering from bulemia for years.

The show starts with Sandra "Pepa" Denton trying to reunite with Salt for the first time in years to heal some wounds and discuss bringing the act back together. Salt is a motherly type, more even headed and responsible. She's found God, but not in a particularly annoying way. Pepa is a party girl who proves you can take the girl out of the ghetto but you'll never get the ghetto out of the girl. She's late for everything and constantly primping. Pepa is easily caught up in her own little world in a very self centered way; yet when she's called on it, she's able to hear the criticism and snap back to "reality".

Spinderella makes an appearance in one episode where she vents her frustrations of feeling more like a hired hand than a 3rd member of the group. The girls basically confirm her side of the story. They make an appearance and then we don't see her again.

Salt-N-Pepa have a very unique relationship. You can tell they have been through some crazy times and have a bond as strong as blood. They are intelligent, engaging, compassionate people and still they make for good TV.

Stars in his eyes

I love the album "Overtones" by Just Jack. (2007)
He's sort of a mix between Lilly Allen and The Streets.
This song, I Talk Too Much, is one of my faves on the disc. It's very catchy.

The Last Word

You may be wondering, what is Britney laughing at? Surely her career is over after everything she's done (or not done - witness the VMA's where she didn't bother to learn the choreography or even the words for her "comeback" moment.) She's laughing because her new album has dropped and thanks to some brilliant production and vocals manipulated to within an inch of their life, it's actually really good.

Here's my fave song on the album. It's called Toy Soldier. I keep seeing people list it as the fave but then people want to say they have a different fave. So it's sort of the song thats obviously the best but "cool" people find other songs to make their fave so they aren't like everyone else. Get it?

Music Mondays : Expectations

I've been obsessed with this song "Expectations" on the album Tigermilk by Belle and Sebastian for years. I love the way it builds and the story it tells. As I'm not a professional music reviewer, I offer you a bit of trivia about the song.

Q.... at the beginning of “Expectations.” About 16 seconds into the track comes a 2 second long sound like that of tape being unwound from the roll. What is it? I know it is a rather mundane question but my curiosity compels me. Thanks

A. Actually, it's a zipper being zipped up. I think it confounded everyone when they first heard it in the studio, and it's on the vocal track - stuart must have wanted to do up his tracky top.

She's Back!

Stephen turned me on to MIA shortly after her first album Arular dropped. I can't say it was an instant love, but the more I listened to the album, the more I grew to love her. Her second album, Kala, recently came out and I totally groove to this song Boyz - check the video.

Music Mondays : Songs on Love

First up is one of my all time favorite love songs, "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service.

Next up is a song that's probably more about love unrequited or lost but I still think it's a beautiful song. It's "Coal to Diamonds" by The Gossip. For those of you not familiar with The Gossip, they are a raucous indy rock band with tinges of punk lead by the amazing Beth Ditto - a plus sized uber hip lesbo with a penchant for posing nude (most famously for the music mag NME - see picture after the jump and video of the famous photo shoot here).
This song is not very representative of the rest of the album, Standing in the Way of Control. It's the "slow" song (ballad?) on the album. Beth's voice has a raw, emotional intensity that's highly addictive.

Underground Entertainment

This guy was playing the buckets and trashcan on the Uptown 4,5,6 train platform on Saturday September 8th and was really incredible. Unfortunately, my little camera, as much as I love it, doesn't do his performance justice. I had to stop taping because my train came but shortly after I stopped he busted right through one of his buckets; something he was vocally upset about.

Music Mondays : New Young Pony Club

I'm addicted to New Young Pony Club's (myspace) album Fantastic Playroom.
Here's a couple of my fave tracks. "Hiding on the Staircase" is not the most radio friendly but it's so damn catchy it get stuck in my head. "Grey" is fun.