Posted in July 2012 …

Jul 27 2012
2 Comments
Press Play Friday

Press Play Friday: iPod Shuffle

So, We Meet Again

I’m sure at one time or another we’ve all had this happen to us: you’re tired after a long, exhausting day at work, attempting to relax by slipping on those comfy headphones and getting lost in that vast world of music, trying to let go of anything and everything you don’t need in that moment. You place your music player on Shuffle, allowing the iPod God’s to take over, putting all your faith in them, hoping they’ll play something good for you. Eventually, that distinct and powerful urge to skip each and every song goes away, allowing you to finally calm and unwind. Five songs; ten songs go by. Suddenly, you notice something strange – a song you don’t recall hearing lately, one you don’t remember downloading. Huh. Isn’t that strange? As the song continues, a quiet excitement begins to grow. You decide you really like this song. In fact, you realize that it’s one of your favorites. Not long after, you begin conduct a bit of research. This song has been on your iPod for a while. Time passes and ultimately you remember that fateful day when that song wasn’t amongst the ones who strayed, but one newly unearthed. This Press Play is dedicated to those forgotten gems; the misplaced tunes we don’t even recall we had; the songs that have been lost amongst the many, left behind for ones more modern, more cutting-edge.

Today I’ve compiled a few of my favorite tracks, ones that I’ve been neglecting, only to have rediscovered recently. They are the result of an iPod Shuffle . . .

Blitzen Trapper. Not a name many of you have heard of, is it? Don’t worry, that’s all about to change. Though they’ve been around for quite some time, word has yet to spread about this Alternative group who add a Country Rock twist to almost all of their songs. It’s quite intriguing, really. Sleepytime In the Western World is the introductory track off their 2009 album, Furr. With a heavy emphasis on harmonies, the song is a fast-moving vintage-styled Rock song; the lead singer’s scratchy sound almost reminiscent of Bob Dylan’s. You’ll easily find the track lie’s on that familiar line between catchy and I-have-to-listen-to-that-song-again-immediately, only not for the reason you think. The melody is the frontrunner here, striking in the way it keeps finding its way back to you even weeks after listening.

More Music After the Cut!

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Jul 16 2012
12 Comments
Miscellaneous

Comic Con 2012 Wrap-Up Extravaganza

The Return of the Nerds

Once again, Comic Con has come and gone, leaving hours upon hours of interviews, sneak peeks, and trailers in its wake. For those who couldn’t attend this year’s event, like myself, I’ve compiled a few highlights, a few of your favorites, so you too can be up-to-date will all the latest from the Con.

Breaking Dawn (Part 2)

Twilight‘s reign over Comic Con has finally come to a close. Sigh. The highly anticipated panel did not disappoint, as fans were treated to Rob Pattinson’s classic one-liners, equal parts awkwardness and hilarity, and seven minutes of the final film. From what I’ve heard, the footage shown detailed the early hours after Bella Cullen’s transformation, including Bella and Edward’s first hunt together, and Bella’s attempts at acting human for the blissfully unaware, Charlie. Unluckily for us, the scenes from the series last installment are unavailable to the rest of us non-con goer’s. However (start getting excited), you can view the rest of the panel right here, right now. Just click on Mr. Pattinson and he will direct you to your new destination. Enjoy!

CLICK FOR VIDEO
Image Source: ROBsessed Blog

More After the Cut!

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Jul 13 2012
2 Comments
Press Play Friday

Press Play Friday: Keane

Perfect Symmetry

Source: Google Images

Welcome to another edition of Press Play. Hi. How are you? I really don’t feel introductions are needed in this particular case, since most, if not all of you have already heard the mellifluous sounds of our featured artist. Breaking out onto the scene in 2004, Keane confirmed our long-standing suspicions that we’d been looking at Alternative-Rock all wrong. Before, the collective notion was that Alternative meant Heavy Rock or something along those lines. But when we first overheard the opening hymn of Somewhere Only We Know, we slowly began to understand that the preconceived notions about certain genres were completely unfitting. This was something entirely new – at least to my ears. Never before had there been such a unique resonance as the kind Keane had bestowed upon us – balancing between the borders of intense Indie Rock and transformed Piano Rock. With four albums under their belt now, and countless singles and EP’s, Keane has undeniably secured a spot amongst music’s greatest.

Once upon a time, eight years ago actually (Seriously? Wow), we were first introduced to Somewhere Only We Know - the first single off Keane‘s debut album, Hopes and Fears. An instant favorite, you could hardly find a radio station or Starbucks that wasn’t playing this song on repeat. Picturesque romanticized lyrics, escalated swells of piano, and Tom Chaplin’s unique lead vocals all converge to create this passionate love song we will forever adore. It’s one of those simple songs that you sporadically visit again and again, only to recall how much you liked it in the first place.

“Oh, simple thing, where have you gone? I’m getting old and I need something to rely on.”

More Music After the Cut!

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Jul 11 2012
1 Comment
TV

Classic TV Moment: Lucy Goes to Scotland

A McGillicuddy is Here!

Remember the days of old, when it was so easy to flip channels, finding one classic television show after another? The lineup, a perfect mixture of timeless classics and fast favorites? You might catch a rerun of Mister Ed or Bewitched, then immediately find an all new episode of Alf or Saved by the Bell waiting for you? Yeah, I remember . . . It was called the 90′s. There was always something to watch – a bit of classic television waiting to be discovered; a black and white masterpiece of comedic or dramatic brilliance. We don’t have it so easy nowadays. We have to plan rigorous search parties just to find that one half hour where I Dream of Jeannie is on. Frankly, it’s not fair. I want to watch Night Court again, darn it! Classic TV has been the odd man out for too long. Where are the Mr. Belvedere marathons? The Odd Couple weekends? The networks have been making progress, I admit, with those two short hours of Doug they play in the middle of the night. They even have an all classic channel too, if you know where to look.

The easy accessibility is gone. Reality TV has taken over and I’m done with it. If they won’t bring back classic TV, then I will. I want to talk about shows of yesteryear, debate and obsess. I want to have a place where we can discuss our favorite classic TV moments (Can you see where I’m going with this?). I want to talk about I Love Lucy . . .

It’s well-known that this is my all-time favorite Lucy episode. It’s easy to see why. The episode is filled with ample amounts of comedic style and flair, including its melodic musical score. Did I say musical score? Yes, I did. In the past, Ricky has gone to great lengths to prevent Lucy from singing, but this time, Lucy is calling the shots. While traveling through Europe, Lucy hopes to track down her ancestors in Scotland, but alas, there is no time in the schedule to do so. One night, Lucy begins to dream. In the small town of Kildoonan, Lucy is welcomed with eager cheers and joyous melodies, unaware as to why the villagers are so relieved to see a McGillicuddy. Scotty MacCardo (Ricky in a kilt) is the one to set the record straight. They’re going to feed Lucy to the terrible two-headed dragon (Fred & Ethel)! Scotty vows to keep Lucy from her gruesome fate, but will he be able to save her in time? “I’m In Love with a Dragon’s Dinner (Ha!)“ is just one of the songs featured in the melodrama.

What did you think of this classic TV moment? Have you seen Lucy Goes to Scotland? What’s your favorite scene? Favorite song? What’s your favorite I Love Lucy episode? Do you have your own favorite classic TV moment you want to share? Tell me in the comments!

For more Kim the FanGirl follow the blog on Twitter @kimthefangirl and on Facebook

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Jul 03 2012
10 Comments
Album Review

Album Review: Maroon 5 – Overexposed

Ladykiller

Source: Google Images

Ten years have come and gone from the time Maroon 5 broke onto the music scene with their debut album, Songs About Jane (I know, I can’t believe it, either), to today. Since then, the group has supplied us with two more records. The most recent, 2010′s Hands All Over – which I wrote a less than stellar review about (I still feel bad about that). Now Maroon 5 is back with another musical adventure. This latest creation promotes the group’s ever-changing sound; Maroon 5′s melodic evolution from Rock to Pop. Though the reviews from certain critics have been unfavorable, don’t let them fool you. The album is infinitely better than its predecessor, a comeback of sorts for the group. Overexposed supplies us with sexy, singable tunes. Which is, essentially, what Maroon 5 does best.

By this time, I’m sure you’ve all heard the initial single off the record. While Payphone is one heck of an earworm, I admit – Adam Levine’s signature falsetto prominently on display – I found the inclusion of Wiz Khalifia’s rap-solo disrupting to the entire song. It seemed misplaced and out of character for the group’s style. The song’s uncomplicated tune and rough lyrics offset its faults, making it one of two predominately catchy tracks on the album. The other, One More Night, is the most-recent single to be released to the public. At first, I wasn’t too sure how I felt about track, but I soon found myself returning to it again and again. Resistance is futile when it comes to the song. It might be overly Pop, but the lyrics are relatable and so darn hard to get out of your head.

More After the Cut!

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