I mean, that’s the whole point of the VMA’s, isn’t it? To jerk off the pop community? Well, after watching another year of mostly boring performances, mostly lame videos getting awards, and even lamer “celebrities” presenting said awards, I am convinced that the whole point of the show is kind of like those year end required recitals that every dance company has for the little kids in their classes. It’s just a little closure on a year in music, and it is pretty efficient in ignoring almost anyone but the hot act of the moment. Sorry, but this might get a bit long, you might want to get a soda and get comfortable…
There were highlights of course… I was happy that Britney won her first (and even won three before the end of the night) moon man award for what one can only assume was the song, NOT the video. I think that MTV felt remorse for throwing her to the hungry gators last year, and as penance, offered her these awards to make up for ignoring brilliant pop performances and great videos throughout her career (I mean come on… Slave 4 U would be just as hot if it were released today). While Piece of Me was definitely a highlight from Blackout, the video just showed us a taste of what Britney was always capable of, without the actual goods. We know she can do better, because she has. Hate her or love her, one thing is for sure, Britney has had a long career because pop music is all about the flash, the glitter, the dance, and the production; fellow music peers like Madonna are proof positive that it has very little to do with actual talent (although, Britney really can dance, and can definitely perform; which is definitely a talent). With all that being said, Britney looked fantastic last night, and was very together. I am excited that this may signal a real comeback with her next record; the one that Blackout was more than ready to give her… if only she had been ready at the time it was released.
As for the rest of the VMA’s, I have to pay special attention to something that has me in disbelief: I can’t believe that it is 2008 and that fucking sagging your pants and showing your underwear trend is STILL being trotted around by these rich ass motherfucking rappers. You have MILLIONS of dollars, Lil’ Wayne; wear a goddamned suit, or at least pull up your fucking pants. T.I. looked incredibly dapper… follow his example! UGH. All it does is makes it “cool” for kids to copy by example, and it isn’t cool to show your underwear unless you are a stripper in a strip club… again, PULL UP YOUR PANTS!
On to the performances… which were fun to watch for the most part… however, Rihanna should REALLY start doing what Janet and Britney do for their shows; record the track and lip sync it live. Her voice is pretty, but a live singer she is not. Leona Lewis got her start by singing live; so she can clearly do it… Rihanna, I’ll admit that you can sing great in a studio, but that’s about all; which is WAY more than many can say. Be proud you at least have singing talent.
I will go on record again, and say that I just do not get the Jonas Brothers. They have to be more than just “cute” for me to scream my fucking lungs out like the girls are doing for these boys. Seriously… I. Just. Don’t. Get. It. They sing through their noses! How do people not notice this?!?!?
The best performance of the night BY FAR came from P!nk, who has consistently gotten better with every subsequent release in her career. P!nk is a fucking great performer, and she tore it up last night. Fantastic.
I couldn’t believe how bad Paramore sounded; I guess her voice really is much like Rihanna’s; great in the studio, and that’s about it.
The performance by Christina Aguilera was good, but she is clearly channeling Alison Goldfrapp for her “new” sound. Well, I guess if by “new” she means 3 years ago, then at least we are all on the same page. Either way, her debuting her new single is part of what the VMA’s has always been about in the past, so it was nice to see that continuing to be part of the show.
I won’t touch Kanye West, because his ego is so gargantuan that he doesn’t even exist within this realm of existence anyway. Every time he opens his mouth to do anything buy sing, I lose more and more respect for him. I guess some people really are that full of themselves.
Overall, the host shouted the entire show, and the production value of the night was haphazard at best. I remember past VMA’s that were star studded, and didn’t look like they were held in a parking lot of a Kmart. I guess it is fun and all, but it really is getting more and more obvious that MTV is really just incapable of doing anything outside of the realm of the super expected anymore. Pop music is definitely a passion of mine, and I will always have a hard time avoiding such train wrecks as the VMA’s, but hey, at least I can talk shit about it behind it’s back the next day, right?
First, there is something I need to get out right away: I HATE when people spell words in song titles like you’re with just a “UR”. It doesn’t make it more cool, and it doesn’t show that you are hip; it makes it look as if you are too lazy to worry about proper grammar. Ugh. Alright, with that said, I actually have been digging this song lately. I actually heard about Annie quite a long time ago from such power music blogs as 
Jem, you’ve done it again! The first song off of Jem’s upcoming release, Down To Earth (release date, September 16th) leaked a few weeks back, and I must say, as much as I loved her first record, I wasn’t actually digging On Top of The World as much as I would have liked. With her last record being so dynamic and innovative, I had high hopes for her sophomore effort, but by the sound of On Top Of the World, I was worried that I was going to be let down. Cut to this week, and the official release of Crazy as a single on iTunes… yeah, Jem still has it. This song is every bit as energetic and magnificent as her first record. She builds on her sound with this track, and proves that she has more to say with her music. Also, I cannot get enough of the banjo in this song!! Such a great use of a non-traditional pop instrument. Good form, Jem, I can’t wait for the record! 
First off, it says fuck a lot in this song, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, you have been warned. I love, love, love Lily Allen, and given the events of this week (RNC), I thought a fun political FU song was appropriate; especially since I only recently heard it. As much as I loved Lily’s first record, I have been chomping at the bit to get more stuff from her, and I was happy to find a few songs last week to satiate my appetite. This song is catchy, and I do think it is cool when people speak up for their political views, because you are always taking a risk; sometimes you get shunned for it (The Dixie Chicks), and sometimes you get praised for it (P!nk). With this silly track, Lily is saying what a lot of young American’s are thinking about our not-so commander and chief, and she will definitely get praises from me for putting it out there. I also cannot ignore the brilliant opening notes that are totally a throwback to the Carpenter’s massive hit Close To You; it really makes me smile to hear it throughout the song. I can’t wait for more new stuff Lily! 
I recently hooked my spin class teacher up with a bunch of “old” dance music that I have sitting on my hard drive, and I literally smiled from ear to ear yesterday when this track came blasting out during class. This song is one of those songs that originally, weren’t very good… Then, a MASSIVE producer (oh how you are missed, Thunderpuss!!!) gets their hands on it, remixes it, and then you have a dance-floor filler that is so much fun that it is hard not to shake your booty all night long. This was exactly what I needed to boost my energy in class, and I was reminded of how much I originally loved this remix. It’s a gem from all the way back in 2000, but to me, it sounds just as great today as it did so many years ago. I can tell you, that if this came on the club, I would need to clear a spot on the floor to break it down… let’s get fierce! 
Wow. You know what, I’m going to say that again; Wow. This song is amazing. Beautiful, thoughtful, powerful, peaceful, and again, amazing. I have been listening to the City and Colour CD for a while now, and for whatever reason, this song just hit me like a brick wall the other day. It reminds me of How My Heart Behaves by Feist, and when that one hit me when it did. Powerful. This song is one of the most amazingly beautiful songs that I have heard in a long time, and it is proof positive of why City and Colour’s 2008 release Bring Me Your Love is a solid 5 star album, and that it will definitely find itself amongst my top records of the year. I am seeing him with Tegan and Sara in a month, and I cannot freaking wait. The rest of the CD is great too, so make sure you do yourself a favor and get it now!
I posted a track by the Infadels a few weeks ago, which I randomly found on a indie playlist. After listening to that song, and getting into it, I snagged the record, and after several listens, I have been introduced into a fabulous record. This song comes from another one of the solidly 4 star rated albums that are sure to be amongst my top records of the year. These guys remind me a lot of the Kaiser Chiefs, yet with their own pop edge, kind of like Melee (a smidge). Either way, I have really enjoyed getting to know this record, and I am glad that I stumbled on this random find. This is probably my favorite track on the record; that chorus is just massive, and I can’t get enough! “Our love’s so good… yeah, it’s chemical…” you know what, so is this song!!!!!
After falling HARD for the first single, Not A Love Song, I pre-ordered this album, eager to hear what else Uh Huh Her was sure to dazzle me with. A week before it was released, they streamed the record online, and it was great; my anticipation only increased. However, when I got it, I was not really in the mood for it or whatever, so I didn’t really get into it as much as I had hoped. Well, that all changed with each new listen. This record is crafted masterfully, and each song is so well written and woven together with melody and beat that it really creates a beautiful music landscape for you to enjoy; again, and again. This is one of my favorite songs from the record, and it is one of those songs that really sticks to your ribs; you will be singing that chorus over and over hours after you hear it. The best part, is each time I hear this album, I love it more; it is a solid 5 star record, and I am glad that it has grown on me as much as it has. I love their writing style, lyrically, as well as how they craft their sound. This is definitely a group to check out if you haven’t done so already… one of the best records of ’08 people!
This track is a recent “leak” from Jon McLaughlin’s upcoming release Ok Now, which I am EAGERLY anticipating. I LOVED his last CD, Indiana, even ranking it amongst my 
This track is one of those tracks that I heard quite a while ago, and instantly fell in love with. However, after not hearing anything substantial about a release from the artist over a long period of time, I naturally forgot about how much I enjoyed this track; as I often, unfortunately do with singles. Well, some recent buzz I have seen on the internets about Isabel made me go back and give this one a listen (as well as some of her other stuff), and low and behold, this song is just as good this go ’round. I really, really hope to see a full CD release from her, because this song is amazing (read A-M-A-Z-I-N-G), and I can’t wait to see what else she can do. I have been, and definitely will be, listening to this love song on repeat!
Okay, it was probably a couple of months ago that Lindsay’s new song, Bossy hit the internets, and I have to admit that I didn’t initially like it that much. However, it really grew on me, and I have been enjoying it thoroughly. However, it wasn’t until I heard Mike Rizzo’s AMAZING remix that I really fell HARD for this track. The disco feel that he gives to this song makes it PERFECT for dancing and having fun on a Saturday night. I love this mix, and I just had to share it. A special thanks to Mr. 
A couple of weeks ago, a new Brandy track leaked, and I have to say, that I was super happy to hear Darkchild doing his signature announcement at the beginning… I sat up and listened intently at that point. I have always been a fan of Brandy’s, and have seen her through some major ups and downs. I am really glad that she has a potential hit on her hands here, and I have been enjoying it, letting this track marinate, and it has only gotten better with each listen. I am curious to see what her next record will bring, because Brandy is actually capable of some hits if she puts her mind to it… she’s done it before, and I believe that she can do it again. I for one, am looking forward to the future of music for Ms. Norwood. The song ends and then does this weird re-loop thing for some reason, so please ignore the very end.