The editors of Modern Tonic present a weekly music update here on Towleroad. The rest of the week, they scan the pop culture landscape for movie, TV, book and Web recommendations in their daily email.
TODAY'S FEATURED NEW RELEASES AND FREE DOWNLOAD:
It’s hard to be Robbie Williams. A gigantic star all over the world, he's ignored in the U.S. (where he currently lives — in Los Angeles — with actress Ayda Field. Sorry, boys). So here comes Reality Killed the Video Star (out digitally today, on CD 11/17), his 8th studio album, and the speculation starts again: will this be Williams' rocketship to American stardom or another one-way trip to Planet Oblivion? Sure, he's got a stateside cult following, but boy band refugee Williams deserves a Justin Timberlake-size audience. The good news? Reality's the best thing Williams has done since his U.S. debut compilation, The Ego Has Landed. Produced by Trevor Horn — the former Buggles main man — Reality, a pun on Horn's "Video Killed the Radio Star," plays to Williams' strengths from start to finish. First single "Bodies" (FREE DOWNLOAD OF FRED FALKE EXTENDED REMIX HERE) layers monk-ish chanting over an Art of Noise robot groove. "Blasphemy" is a theatrical ballad that sounds like Williams' audition for the roadshow of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. And "Starstruck" confronts Robbie's lack of U.S. commercial respect head on. As longtime fans we're used to our fellow citizens' deaf spot, but the reality is we'd like it to change.
Tori Amos used to be a "Cornflake Girl" (to quote a hit title), and sometimes she’s been just a flake —From the Choirgirl Hotel anyone? But as an interpreter of others' songs she’s been damn near peerless. Her take on Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? Inspired. Covering Eminem on Strange Little Girls? Ballsy. And now the woman who suckled a piglet at her breast in the booklet for Boys for Pele brings us a juicy Christmas morsel called Midwinter Graces. This being Amos, a straight-up holiday album won't do. She mixes obscure traditional tunes like the Victorian "Candle: Coventry Carol" with seasonally-inspired originals such as "A Silent Night with You." It’s a gift from a "Snow Angel," to quote an Amos original, that’ll sound just as delightful long after the holidays have passed.
On her debut The Bridge Melanie Fiona, the Toronto-based child of Guyanese parents, layers Motown-flavored R&B over sharp-edged lyrics that mix the bitter with the sweet in finger-snapping harmony. The results? 12 potential singles as catchy as a Raphael Saadiq retro jam with extra-added hip-hop attitude. First single "Give It to Me Right" anchors the hook from The Zombies' "Time of the Season" to a non-stop plea for slamming sex. "Bang Bang" is even more lascivious, wherein Fiona wants to "introduce ya to my Lucy" to a beat that can only be called shagalicious. And when you treat her bad, you better "Walk On By," a tune that channels Mavis Staples' earthy soul squeals in a tale of hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-scorned. Perhaps that’s Fiona's way of warning you that The Bridge is one that you won’t want to burn.
MUSIC NEWS:
Susan Boyle will perform the song that changed her life ("I Dreamed a Dream") on tonight's "Dancing With the Stars." She is also scheduled to perform live on NBC's "Today" show on November 23, the day her debut album, also titled I Dreamed a Dream, is released.
Britney Spears made her Australian concert debut last Friday, and (surprise!), a whirlwind media frenzy surrounded it.
Aussie media has made a big deal about her partial lip-synching and how
fans have stormed out of the concert because of it. Apparently, Britney
is "extremely upset" over the controversy.
Hot Chip have announced a release date of February 10, 2010 for their next album, One Life Stand.
Swedish Electro-pop trio Miike Snow will be touring the U.S. next spring. Two of the band's members, Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnberg, have written and produced songs for Britney Spears (winning a Grammy for "Toxic"), Madonna and Kylie Minogue, among others, under the name Bloodshy & Avant.
Green Day's well-reviewed musical, American Idiot, based on their 2004 album, now winding down a successful run at California's Berkeley Repertory Theater, is confirmed to open on Broadway. No date or theater has been announced yet.
A threesome of compilations in ten years is a bit much, but since Britney Spears is high on "3" these days we’ll give her a pass, especially when The Singles Collection includes that hot track and 16 more of Spears’ single releases. (The single CD version is released today; a deluxe box set — pictured — will be released November 23).
If it’s change you want out of Washington, D.C., Obama’s not the only brother who’ll make you say 'Yes We Can.' Rapper Wale's (pr. wah-LAY) debut joint Attention Deficit — on Mark Ronson’s label — finally drops after years of well-regarded "mixtapes."
Snow Patrol's the band mainstream alternative didn't know it was waiting for. Their super-catchy arena anthems ("Hands Open," "Chasing Cars," etc.) are collected on the two-disc best-of Up to Now, as well as lesser known tunes from 1998 up through their 2003 breakthrough "Run."
Mini Viva: "I Wish" From the Xenomania production powerhouse comes the frothy duo of Frankee Connolly and Britt Love. “I Wish” is Euro-pop and proud, with an L.A.-set video that adds extra digital color to the land of Hollywood dreams.
Massive Attack: "United Snakes" A sinister tune from 2006 gets a high-tech new video from Massive Attack. Black-and-white geometric shapes morph into menacing configurations on this creepy, provocative clip with vocals from 3D.
Jamie Cullum: "Don’t Stop the Music" The jazzy Brit makes a sexy swing of this Rihanna track, while his baby grand piano, over-stimulated by Cullum’s “jazz hands,” experiences an explosive climax of its own. From new album The Pursuit, due in February.
Pixie Lott: "Cry Me Out" The latest U.K. thrush advises her ex to cry her out of his system in this gorgeous black-and-white homage to ‘30s Hollywood glamour, complete with an Esther Williams synchronized-swimming segment.
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Not to be pedantic but Tori Amos clearly sang "Never was a cornflake girl" so calling her one makes no sense. And from the choirgirl hotel is one of her best albums and a casual perusal of her online communities shows it and Boys for Pele continuously rank at the top of fans' lists. She has, however, been on a steady decline since 2002 and she's a very very pale shadow of her former self. Her holiday album is a snooze.
I hope this CD is a huge hit for Robbie. He makes me moist.
Posted by: Tralfaz | Nov 10, 2009 5:20:39 PM
I am assuming the Susan Boyle appearance was taped as i was on the CBS Television City lot yesterday when two large black SUVs pulled up to the stage entrance for DWTS and out popped Boyle and her entourage, including stylist with long garment bag!
Posted by: styleboy | Nov 10, 2009 7:17:15 PM
From The Choirgirl Hotel deserves a FAR better description than "flaky"...
Posted by: Jon | Nov 10, 2009 7:35:59 PM
Tori's From the Choirgirl Hotel is amazing. The holiday album is very strong - not your typical Christmas cheese fest and a full orchestra is used. It's top notch as far as seasonal offerings go.
Posted by: Tonic | Nov 10, 2009 8:06:03 PM
I've loved Jamie Cullum ever since "Twentysomething," though I was lukewarm on "Catching Tales." This definitely seems like a return to form for him, and the video is terrific. (If you ever get to hear him sing "Blame It On My Youth," it's absolutely exquisite.)
Posted by: Dback | Nov 10, 2009 8:07:19 PM
Another week, another lack of attention to the fact that Janet Jackson's greatest hits collection comes out next week. Britney's mentioned this week for a collection coming out NEXT MONTH, but I guess one of our biggest pop divas (and huge supporter of gays and gay rights) just isn't on Modern Tonic's radar for some reason. Disappointing.
Posted by: Donny B | Nov 10, 2009 11:21:24 PM
That Jamie Cullum Rhianna cover is the Bizness! I'm sold.
Posted by: Giovanni | Nov 10, 2009 11:22:14 PM
re jamie c: sorry, reeks of desperation...really what does he bring to this track? It worked as a Dance Floor Monster but stretching for pathos or layers of meaning seems only to enhance this songs lack of depth...don't hate this guy but he is begging here. (See Charo's version for an apt parody)
Posted by: gene | Nov 11, 2009 12:36:45 AM
your kidding, you have a problem with 'Choirgirl'? clearly u don't know your tori.
Posted by: pipwainwright | Nov 11, 2009 7:53:43 AM
Seriously! Amos has one of the least flaky libraries of music under her belt that I can think of. In comparrison to her contemporaries, I think she shares a spot with the likes of Sonic Youth - where regardless of the mainstream, she releases albums and tours regularly - like a real musician.
ditto on the Choirgirl love. the last two albums have really missed the mark, though. This holiday album concepts sounds better, but I feel like I've lost my faith now. And WHAT has she done to her face? It looks like a mask on the new cover.
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Not to be pedantic but Tori Amos clearly sang "Never was a cornflake girl" so calling her one makes no sense. And from the choirgirl hotel is one of her best albums and a casual perusal of her online communities shows it and Boys for Pele continuously rank at the top of fans' lists. She has, however, been on a steady decline since 2002 and she's a very very pale shadow of her former self. Her holiday album is a snooze.
Posted by: Alex | Nov 10, 2009 4:52:50 PM
Choirgirl Hotel is actually my favorite album of hers... to each their own.
Posted by: Scott B. | Nov 10, 2009 4:59:32 PM
I hope this CD is a huge hit for Robbie. He makes me moist.
Posted by: Tralfaz | Nov 10, 2009 5:20:39 PM
I am assuming the Susan Boyle appearance was taped as i was on the CBS Television City lot yesterday when two large black SUVs pulled up to the stage entrance for DWTS and out popped Boyle and her entourage, including stylist with long garment bag!
Posted by: styleboy | Nov 10, 2009 7:17:15 PM
From The Choirgirl Hotel deserves a FAR better description than "flaky"...
Posted by: Jon | Nov 10, 2009 7:35:59 PM
Tori's From the Choirgirl Hotel is amazing. The holiday album is very strong - not your typical Christmas cheese fest and a full orchestra is used. It's top notch as far as seasonal offerings go.
Posted by: Tonic | Nov 10, 2009 8:06:03 PM
I've loved Jamie Cullum ever since "Twentysomething," though I was lukewarm on "Catching Tales." This definitely seems like a return to form for him, and the video is terrific. (If you ever get to hear him sing "Blame It On My Youth," it's absolutely exquisite.)
Posted by: Dback | Nov 10, 2009 8:07:19 PM
Another week, another lack of attention to the fact that Janet Jackson's greatest hits collection comes out next week. Britney's mentioned this week for a collection coming out NEXT MONTH, but I guess one of our biggest pop divas (and huge supporter of gays and gay rights) just isn't on Modern Tonic's radar for some reason. Disappointing.
Posted by: Donny B | Nov 10, 2009 11:21:24 PM
That Jamie Cullum Rhianna cover is the Bizness! I'm sold.
Posted by: Giovanni | Nov 10, 2009 11:22:14 PM
re jamie c: sorry, reeks of desperation...really what does he bring to this track? It worked as a Dance Floor Monster but stretching for pathos or layers of meaning seems only to enhance this songs lack of depth...don't hate this guy but he is begging here. (See Charo's version for an apt parody)
Posted by: gene | Nov 11, 2009 12:36:45 AM
your kidding, you have a problem with 'Choirgirl'? clearly u don't know your tori.
Posted by: pipwainwright | Nov 11, 2009 7:53:43 AM
Seriously! Amos has one of the least flaky libraries of music under her belt that I can think of. In comparrison to her contemporaries, I think she shares a spot with the likes of Sonic Youth - where regardless of the mainstream, she releases albums and tours regularly - like a real musician.
Posted by: Joshua Ackley | Nov 11, 2009 9:44:54 AM
ditto on the Choirgirl love. the last two albums have really missed the mark, though. This holiday album concepts sounds better, but I feel like I've lost my faith now. And WHAT has she done to her face? It looks like a mask on the new cover.
Posted by: Jay | Nov 11, 2009 3:58:41 PM