Album Review: End of the Century

The crossing of two generations, the 50's rock and roll sound perfected by Phil Spector and his now-legendary Wall of Sound, and the band that started a revolution, that put the rock back into rock, the Ramones, collaborated on this album. For hardcore Ramones fans, this is a terrible album. Most of these people prefer the Ramones to be remembered as the "1-2-3-4" group that they had grown to know and love, they didn't want this cheese ball record with, heaven forbid, PHIL SPECTOR!!! But as much as you may be surprised to hear me say, I think this is a good record. Sure, some of the songs are nothing special, but some of them are really good, case in point, "Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio', 'Chinese Rock', This Ain't Havana', 'Rock N' Roll High School" and even "Baby I Love You". Yes, the highest charting Ramones song, considered the worst Ramones song, isn't as bad as everyone says it was. Sure it's not real Ramones, but when you get over that it isn't that bad. I especially like the version of 'Rock N Roll High School', much preferring this version to the Ed Stasium, giving it more punch and making it sound more exciting. Overall, this record is a mixed bag, and certainly unloved by many, but it's not the trash that people make it out to be. It was just an idea for the band, one that didn't quite turn out the way they wanted, but it's got its moments and if you really can't handle change, that's what the first 4 records are for(not to mention they mention John Lennon in the first 2:43 of the album).

Rating: 3.1/5

Top 5 Worst Songs Of 2010

Dear reader of this website

You must be wondering, why Alek, have you done a best Songs of 2010 and a Best/Worst films of 2010 and NOT A WORST SONGS of 2010?? Well stranger, due to my unbusy life, my list for worst songs of 2010 was pushed back. but fear not, as we are only38 days into the new year, and finally the wait is over, here it is, the top 5 worst songs of 2010.

5. What's My Name: Rihanna feat. Drake

Rihanna is like a line of drinks that steadily gets worse as you drink them. She had more hits this year then anyone else, and they all kept getting worse and worse as the year went on. Drake's opening verse is useless, the words don't matter at all in this song, and I don't think Rihanna is really trying anymore. She's run out of steam for me, and this pathetic excuse for a song, let alone a Number One song, is her bikini on top of her best year. I weep for the future.

4. OMG: Usher feat. Will.i.am

I've never listened to Usher that much, I think he's just an average star, not the big deal that everyone made him out to be this year with his new album. This was the first song they put off that album, and whoever the PR guy was that green lighted this should be forced to spend the rest of his days watching Live Free or Die(*shudder). It's a stupid dance song about a guy who says "ohmigosh" when he sees this stunning girl. Will.i.am doesn't do anything to the song, and I don't have a clue why he's on this. This song, and the next reinforce the stereotype that all pop songs are stupid and about girls, clubbing and getting drunk. Thanks a bunch Usher.

3. TikTok: Ke$ha

Biggest hit of 2010. What does that say about where the world is going. This introduced us to Ke$ha, and we've yet to be rid of her yet. She's like a kid trying to hang around in a group of people that none of them want. Nobody I know really likes her, and I've yet to hear of her going on the scale of Lady Gaga or Katy Perry in terms of sales(although she somehow made the top 10 best selling albums of 2010, thankfully at Number 10). What has been said about this song has been done to death, and I really don't need to add fuel to this fire, but a list of the worst without Ke$ha is like a list of dictators without Hitler.

2. Baby: Justin Bieber

As happy as I am to be Canadian with all the bands like Arcade Fire, Rush, The Band etc, Justin Bieber makes me ashamed to be Canadian. Don't feed me the schlock about him, you couldn't change my mind about him. I've hated this kid the moment I heard him, and not even with people like Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Ke$ha, there's at least one silver lining with them in terms of songs. With Justin Bieber, I cannot foresee this in the near future. Unless his deepened voice improves his songwriting, his legacy will be that this song beat Bad Romance as the most viewed video on YouTube of all time.

1. California Gurls: Katy Perry

No song I have ever listened to has been so fucking overplayed in my life that I can't stand. Thankfully, eight months later, it's no longer played, since replaced by Firework. But while I love Teenage Dream, to think it was proceeded by this is unbelievable. Annoying, colorful and stupid, just like the lady herself, this song has left me with an undeniable hate towards Katy Perry, not just because of the song. This song turned Katy Perry into Britney Spears. She will now sing horrible songs and perform past her prime, have a failed marriage before forcing us to care again with her comeback song that will keep her in our lives for years to come. Congrats Katy Perry for having the double honor of Best/Worst Songs of 2010(I took Snoop Doggs name off the title, and if had had any sense so would he.)

The Most "Wonderful" Time of the Year: Oscar 2011: Part 3

Finally, the part that anyone ever cares about, the Best Picture and Director nominations.

7. Best Director: HOW CAN YOU NOT NOMINATE CHRISTOPHER NOLAN!!!!!!! He's made one of the greatest movies of all time, and you refuse to acknowledge his directorial skills. On Rotten Tomatoes, he has a 100% rating! I think only Paul Thomas Anderson has as good a rating. Shame on you Academy. Actually I take that back. Fuck you Academy.

Now that that's out of the way, now me can proceed with who should win. Being nominated many times for shitty films and not winning is one thing, but not to be nominated for great films is a tragedy. This director has been around for the last 20 years, making one of the most con traversal films of the last 10 years(which really, isn't all that bad, it's just about people hitting themselves for pleasure....with a few more undertones, of course). David Fincher, as much as I despise your film you were nominated, you should at least satisfy your ego(however big it may be).

Winner: David Fincher(The Social Network)

8. Best Picture: This is hard for me, as there are twice as many choices in this category as all the others (10 as opposed to 5). For this I will announce who the likely winner will be, and who I wish would win. From what I've read (all from Wikipedia no less) the most likely winner will be either The Social Network or The Kings Speech. I hate The Social Network. It is one of the most overpraised, over hyped films I've ever seen, and I can't believe so many people like this(same goes to Avatar too I suppose). To contrast, I really enjoyed The Kings Speech and I really would like it to win the Best Picture Award. But yet, at the same time, no more then a few weeks ago, I saw a movie that changed my perspective. Black Swan is one of the most moving, great films I saw this year. Maybe more then Inception(which itself was nominated by the way), this is the movie that I would like to see win Best Picture. It would really shake up the Academy. I mean, look at the Grammys. The most unlikely winner, the most uncompromisable album won Album of the Year, over people like Eminem, or Lady Gaga. Could it happen with the movies. I doubt this very much. Movies are more widely seen then music nowadays, and therefore most will just pick the movie they saw, not the best one overall, or worse, go with what the critics agree is the Best picture. As stated above most agree on either the Kings Speech or The Social Network. One critic, mind you, is the only one I've found who thinks a different movie will win. Roger Ebert, the greatest film reviewer ever thinks that True Grit will win. If he can spot a difference and think a different movie will win, then maybe, just maybe, there's hope for something different, something...else. Maybe it will be a different year this year, as there are many good films this year, and a variety of different films. It's been a good year for films, better the last year, and hopefully a promise for less 3-D in the future(which I'm so sick of, there have been maybe 2 films that looked good that I saw it in, the rest I never saw, or were crap. Thank god Inception wasn't 3-D), but please Academy, tone down the Best picture winners down to 5. Most people want to win, not to be nominated. It's like a girl sitting on your.....never mind.

Winner(s): The Kings Speech/Black Swan

So end's my review. Some may be surprised Inception wasn't put on for Best Picture. Don't worry. I know it's the Best Picture in my mind. I gave it the sites Movie of the Year Award. In any case, the Awards happen in 2 weeks time, let's see how many of my predictions come true. Until then, this is I wishing you get whatever makes you happy.

100th Post: What Goes Around Comes Around(Sundown)

If you remember/read his blog at all, in August of last year, I picked up Katy Perrys' debut album, the self titled Katy Hudson. It featured some gospel songs, but since her rise to fame, the album is much sought after. As I said myself, I found one in a store for $2.00.

Well, last week, after having it on Amazon.ca for 4 months, someone in Quebec(a province in Canada know for having French as the official language, the Montreal Canadians, and constantly trying to leave Canada every 15 or so years) bought my album for $80!!! I couldn't believe that someone in Quebec liked Katy Perry, but a Christian Katy Perry. With deductions from Amazon.ca(they take 15%) and postage, it left me with a little more then $57, still a huge profit from $2.

But at the same time, I wonder, should I've held longer, and not sold it? Well, unlike Beatles or Elvis memorabilia which goes up each year, I believe that Katy Perry doesn't have that kind of staying power. I don't like her at all, and nothing she could say or sing to me could make me change my mind(now do to me on the other hand...:)

All jokes aside, I'm very happy to post this on the day of the 100Th post I've done for this blog. Two years is a long time, and alot has changed with me in two years, with what I listen to, who I like, and what goes on in the world. Thank you to all who have stood by and read my posts, I'm grateful for everyone who takes the time to read them. To close, and to assert my nerdieness, I'll end with a quote from my favourite TV show Deep Space 9, from the bartender Quark.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same"

(Apologies to Quebecois and feminists all around, but I mean for feminist and all you've done, what Katy Perry does must be a slap in the face to you, you know, 1 step forward, 4 steps back kinda thing, I don't know. Sorry if I offended anyone)

(Best Wishes to Everyone, Still Hoping You Get What Makes You Happy :)

Song Review: Born This Way

Guess I have no choice but to do this one, eh? Well, might as well get this over with. Born This Way has been the most hyped song of the new year so far, and it is her first single since Alejandro some 9 months ago(approx.) So here's what I have to say about it.

(Yes, it sounds like Express Yourself, lets get that out of the way).

The song was really good. For the first time since maybe Summerboy(last track on The Fame) she talks about something personal, something not to do with fame, money, boys, parties, girls, fans, monsters, etc. She talks about being the way you are. She sells the song like it's a gay anthem, and it works surprisingly well, considering the first line you hear in the song is: "It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M" Rhyme him...with him. Mhm.

Still, the song is a good dance track, and it doesn't swing too far left like some of her stuff(Teeth, Speechless, Again Again), and its not too poppy like her more well known stuff(Just Dance, Bad Romance). Overall, this is a warm sight among the far left (Firework) and the far right (Grenade) that dominate the radio these days. Congrats Lady Gaga.

Rating: 4/5

One final thing to put. A joke between me and a friend is that her next album(also title Born This Way) is going to sound like the last song on her last album, Teeth. While this song proves that, at least one song won't be, I certainly hope that this isn't the best thing on the album. I don't expect to see anything as personal as Summerboy on it, but it doesn't hurt to put a low-key ballad on it. Bigger isn't always better, and there is no better example then Speechless on The Fame Monster. Don't put so many of these songs on Born This Way. There is tremendous hype towards this album.Not since Be Here Now by Oasis, or Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen has there been this much placed on the follow-up to a great album, and make no mistake of it, for all the flaws I mentioned above, you have made 2 great albums that I will, at least, cherish close to my heart for a long time to come.

Lady Gaga, for your sake, I hope you don't let your ego and power go to your head. Follow the example set by the latter(or is the former, I'm not sure) and take your time with this album. For God sake, he just put out a album of all the outtakes he did on that album. Don't fall flat in a drug fueled haze like Oasis, a band that I still really like, mind you. That album became a joke compared to the two made before it. And the same can be said about you Lady Gaga. This album will decide if you should stay or should go, whether you are the original artist you claim to be, one who will be around for many years like your idol Madonna, or you'll just be a a female pop star like your friend Beyonce, nothing great and over the top, just a plain simple star. You are more then that, everyone knows that. Live up to our expectations, don't make your fans, and more importantly yourself, look like fools. You depend on us. We depend on you. Don't let us down.

53rd Grammy Awards: My Thoughts

Well, like most people last night I was...upstairs in my room not caring about the Grammy Awards, the Oscars for music if you will. But not that I've had a chance to look over the results, let me just go over what I though of who won, and such.

First off, a song that I never really liked(too much) won both Song and Record of the Year. Need You Now is just a decent song, but there really wasn't anything it was up against except maybe Fuck You(or F**k You to my younger audience), so congrats to the country trio.

Secondly, Lady Gaga won 3 Awards, Best Female Pop Vocals, Pop Vocal Album and Best Short form Music Video. Be patient as soon, her time will come.

Third, the one with the most to win only won Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo performance for Not Afraid. Well done Eminem.

Next on the list, The Black Keys, whom I only recently got into, won two Awards, which I'm too lazy to write down, for their album Brothers and the single Tighten Up.

But who am I kidding. The only thing I was interested in was Album of the Year. I had listened to all the albums, and this was my thought on the subject:

1. Katy Perry had an album that really didn't warrant a nomination, it was just a pop album, nothing more.

2. Lady Antebellum had a country album that might sneak by, as the Grammys' do like country albums(see Taylor Swifts' Fearless, which won last year), but it didn't seem likely.

3. Lady Gaga was still too new to the business to win, even though it is a really good collection of songs. She seemed to be the black horse in the race this year.

4. Eminem made a good album. Good, that's all. He's made far better albums in his early days and I thought this was just going to be a pity award.

5. Arcade Fire made a fantastic album, but only people who listen to indie music/still buy vinyl albums would understand the true meaning of this album.

So in order, this is who I though and wanted to win.

5. Katy Perry; Teenage Dream

4. Lady Antebellum; Need You Now

3. Eminem; Recovery

2. Lady Gaga; The Fame Monster

1. Arcade Fire; The Suburbs

For those of you who read this blog, you know how highly I praised The Suburbs. I called it the Best Album of 2010(striking when you consider I named Teenage Dream Best Song of 2010). I hoped and hoped that they would pull through, and win the credit they deserved to the great album they put out.

You can imagine my happiness when I found out the actually had won Album of the Year!!! I couldn't believe it, and I'm amazed that so many people think that this really is Album of the Year. I'm so tired of writing that praise out, but for a true rock band like Arcade Fire, Album of the Year is what they deserve. In a way, they are like another of my favorite bands, The Clash. Excellent debut, great follow-up and crowning achievement. Now all they have to do is go crazy and make a triple album(!!!).

So that's what I thought of the Grammys, at least that's all that mattered to me anyway. It's good to see good music be acknowledged and rewarded, and even though they do fuck up sometimes, they usually do get it right. Congrats to most of the winners, and to the losers, either give up or try harder next time.

The Most "Wonderful" Time of the Year: Oscar 2011: Part 2

Welcome to Part 2. Lets finish up with the writing and get back to the acting.

4. Best Screenplay-Original. This is tough as good writing should be about something new, something revolutionary. It should be a story that nobody has ever seen before, something that deserves the reward for the effort it took to write it. While The King's Speech is a good script, we all know its going to win for something else(more on that later). Inception, as good a film as it is, probably won't win Best Picture. A Best Screenplay will have to do(that and/or Best Score).

Winner: Inception

5. Best Actor: I think we all know whose gonna win this, so I'll just spell it out for you. Javier Bardam won for No Country for Old Men(strike one), Jeff Bridges for Crazy Heart(strike two), Jesse Eisenberg is too young(and in Adventureland, strike three), and James Franco was in Spiderman 3(strike five!). In all seriousness though, if anyone won besides Colin Firth for playing King George VI, (and because the Academy refused to even nominate Leonardo DiCaprio, I mean come on, has the Academy even seen any of his movies since Titanic...besides Blood Diamond I mean. Give the guy a break), I'd want James Franco to win. Why? Because at least he wasn't in Adventureland(and because James Franco is a wonderful actor who has the balls and chops to act)!

Winner: Colin Firth(obviously)

6. Best Actress: According to Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, there have been two ties in Oscar history. Well, this is the hardest category for me to choose because as much as I love and want Annette Benning to win(lease of all because she was in American Beauty and has never been honored), to see Natalie Portman fail to win due to her role in Black Swan would be nothing less then a tragedy. She proved me wrong with her acting, providing more depth and despair to a character then I've seen...since Annette Benning in The Kids Are All Right. Annette Benning has been around for a very long time, and has acted in good quality productions(minus The Women) and has never won an Oscar. This one is too close to call, they both should win.

Winner:....Tie between Annette Benning/Natalie Portman(but given the two, Annette Benning. There ain't no Hilary Swank this year.)

Concludes in Part 3

The Most "Wonderful" Time of the Year: Oscar 2011 Part 1

Well, its the month of February, meaning that it's in this month people start giving out their pointless and meaningless speculation on who will win, who won't and strangely, everyone seems to have the same opinion. Well friend, neighbours, landlord banging on my door, its time to stop the clocks, as some might say, and review the nominations, while giving my opinion in between. I'll try not to sound stupid or smart, just as a person who loves movies. This series will cover all of the "major" categories, such as directing, writing, acting and of course, producing. So let's get your heart racing in your skin tight jeans with this wonderful time of Oscars.

1. Best Supporting Actor: Before I start, please bear in mine that if my opinion seems biased, it may have to do with the fact that I've not seen all these films. You've been warned. Any whom, for this, Geoffrey Rush has already won an Oscar many years ago, so we can forget about acknowledging him. This year, the most likely winner is a man who has never been nominated beforehand. He's been in many big budget films, but at the same time can really prove himself as an actor, being able to either loose weight or gain muscle like it is nothing. While he may be a little too extreme in his acting, not to award him for his hard work seems unfair. So Christan Bale, in The Fighter, your time is gonna come this year.

Winner:Christian Bale

2. Best Supporting Actress: Many of these actresses have already been nominated before, though they all share the common ground of never winning(Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Helena Bonham Carter). But despite all this I believe that this years winner will be one that appears in a film for more screen time then all of the headlining actors combined...and yet doesn't appear on the poster for the film. I'm not saying that that is all that matters, I'm just saying that for the amount of effort that she puts into this film, that an Academy Award is the least that she deserves. This is the first movie that I've ever seen her in, and I really look forward to seeing more with her. Hallie Stienfield is the best actor overall in True Grit(no disrespect towards Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon or Josh Brolin...well maybe Matt Damon because your character was stupid, pointless and annoying, and I was hoping you would die at the end!!!) and the best breakout star since Ellen Page.

Winner: Hallie Stienfield

3. Best Writing-Adapted Screenplay

A well written movie ripped off a good book/film can make into a pretty bad movie. While I'm surprised to see True Grit nominated(???), the film I want to win is the little movie that probably won't win anything else. Until it was nominated this film wasn't even playing around in my area. It looks to become the Frost/Nixon of this year, a well reviewed film that receives nothing, as that film was in 2008. And while this man already has a Oscar on his mantle, if 127 Hours didn't win anything, it should've at least won for writing.

Winner: 127 Hours

Continues in Part 2