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Archive: October 2009 (61-70 of 164)

Oct 20 2009 03:31 PM ET

Allison Iraheta's 'Just Like You' album cover: EW's exclusive first look!

Categories: Allison Iraheta, American Idol, An EW Exclusive!, Things That Are Awesome, Things That Are Beautiful

Friday I will not be over this…no way in hell. In fact, the Idoloonie within may never quite be the same after getting an exclusive first look at the cover art for Allison Iraheta’s debut album, Just Like You, due December 1 via 19 Recordings/Jive. I’d compare my current condition to someone who just dove into a swimming pool holding a plugged-in extension cord, except for instead of getting a lethal dose of electricity, I’ve been fried by pure joy. Call me crazy, but after watching Allison’s amazing season 8 trajectory — from that sizzling and unexpected first impression on “Alone” to that beyond-her-years take on “I Can’t Make You Love Me” to that gut-wrenching exit performance of “Cry Baby” — it’s a beautiful thing to see her dreams of music stardom on the brink of being realized. Also? That belt? A jangly delight! The hair? A perfect explosion from the fuchsia end of the Crayola box! And the slight hint of a smirk? I like to think of it as a not-so-subtle message to a certain Idol judge who never quite gave her the respect she was entitled to. (No, we will not sully this moment with his name.) What’s more, and as I’m sure is obvs to everyone, the heat of Allison’s music is melting the paint on the wall behind her. Yes? Yes. Now, let’s go straight to the slow clap. Rocker saved. Rocker signed. Rocker pre-ordered. (To get first dibs on all my Idol news and blathering, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak.) READ FULL STORY »

Oct 20 2009 12:53 PM ET

Madonna's possible eviction: Would you kick the Material Girl to the curb?

by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Categories: Legal Troubles, Let's Argue!, Madonna, Music, Things That Are Strange

Music/Makes the neighbors/file a lawsuit!

The woman who lives above Madonna filed a complaint yesterday with the New York Supreme Court because of the excessively loud music she claimed to hear coming from the pop icon’s Manhattan apartment — and Madge may now face eviction, per several media reports.

According to the BBC, the neighbor, Karen George, alleges that Madge’s “invited guests repeatedly dance and/or train” to “unreasonable high decibel amplified music.” George is suing the building’s management company, who she says has done nothing about the noise since she complained a year ago. Or maybe she’s just mad she’s not on the guest list?

Two vital questions here: If the woman living above Madonna is desperately seeking silence, is the person living below her deaf? And secondly, isn’t it shocking Madonna lets anyone live above her? Yes, the apartment overlooks Central Park, but you’d think the Material Mom would be hung up exclusively on penthouses.

What would you do if Madonna’s late-night shenanigans were driving you borderline crazy? File a lawsuit or just get into the groove?

Oct 20 2009 11:38 AM ET

Rihanna's dark, daring new single: Hear 'Russian Roulette' now

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Rihanna

rihanna-russian-single Rihanna debuted her brand-new single “Russian Roulette” right on time this morning at 11:23 AM Eastern via her official website. Written and produced by labelmate Ne-Yo, “Russian Roulette” is the first single from Nov. 23‘s Rated R.

The midtempo tune opens with a screaming processed-guitar solo that segues into an eerie-sexy bass rumble, accompanied by some unsettling imagery: “Take a breath, take it deep/’Calm yourself,’ he says to me/’If you play, you play for keeps/Take the gun and count to three.’” Soon thereafter comes the big pull-out-the-stops hook: “And you can see my heart beating/You can see it through my chest/I’m terrified but I’m not leaving.” The music ends dramatically with a single gunshot.

Guns, fear, a man pushing a woman to play a dangerous game — this is risque subject matter for any pop single. It’s even more daring for Rihanna right now, given her very public experience as a victim of violence earlier this year. (This is her first solo release since that February incident.) After a few listens, I think those risks absolutely pay off. Rihanna is in fine vocal form throughout, and Ne-Yo’s songwriting is economical and evocative per usual. I have a feeling “Russian Roulette” is a single we’re all going to be hearing a lot of in the coming months.

Stream it at rihannanow.com or check out a fan YouTube clip after the jump, then tell us: How do you like Rihanna’s new sound? Will you be playing “Russian Roulette”?

READ FULL STORY »

Oct 20 2009 11:21 AM ET

Adam Lambert is working with Lady Gaga: Who benefits more?

by Michael Slezak

Categories: Adam Lambert, American Idol, Lady Gaga, Things That Are Sexy, Things That Are Strange

lambert-gaga_l Adam Lambert announced yesterday in a series of messages on his Twitter page that there’ll be at least one more A-list collaborator on For Your Entertainment, his upcoming debut album: “Yes it’s true: I spent yesterday in the studio w the insanely talented and creative Lady GaGa recording a song that she wrote! I love her.” “Gaga wrote the song a while ago and she thought it would be a good fit for me. It’s a solo track. I feel so honored and lucky to be asked.” “GaGa just gets it, ya know?”

Gaga may get “it,” but I’m wondering which artist gets the biggest career boost from this collaboration (even though it sounds like Gaga was only working behind the scenes, and not actually performing a duet with Adam)? On paper, the balance of power is a no-brainer: READ FULL STORY »

Oct 20 2009 10:44 AM ET

Rihanna reveals 'Rated R' album, 'Russian Roulette' single plans

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Rihanna

Rihanna announced today via press release that her next album, due Nov. 23, is titled Rated R. Labelmate Ne-Yo wrote and produced the lead single, “Russian Roulette,” which she plans to debut on her official site today at 11:23 AM Eastern time. A video for “Russian Roulette,” directed by Anthony Mandler, will later premiere on ABC. This is the singer’s first solo release since her February assault at the hands of then-boyfriend Chris Brown.

Check back here at 11:23 for our take on “Russian Roulette.” (UPDATE: Hear “Russian Roulette” and read our snap judgment.) Til then: How much are you looking forward to Rihanna’s return? What do you hope “Russian Roulette” sounds like?

Photo credit: Debra L. Rothenberg/startraksphoto.com

Oct 20 2009 09:31 AM ET

Timbaland wants 'Twilight' theme for 'Morning After Dark' video

by Simon Vozick-Levinson

Categories: Timbaland, Twilight

Timbaland has some very specific ideas about the video for his next single, “Morning After Dark.” Just one very specific idea, actually: Twilight. Twilight. TWILIGHT! “I want the same characters of Twilight, which I’ve almost got,” the superproducer told MTV News. “If I get Bella and Edward, it would be [ideal].”

Nor is he some vamp-fan-come-lately trying to cash in on the lucrative Twilight phenomenon. No, Tim is a true-blue Twihard. He’s even worked out an elaborate New Moon side plot for the video, featuring himself and duet partner SoShy as bloodsuckers: “We would protect [Bella] while [Edward] goes away from the other dude [Jacob] and the other people [the Cullens]…We was his last hope, he wouldn’t want to use us, the whole thing. If [Edward] calls us it would be a big payback.” Having only seen the first Twilight movie, I understood approximately one third of that quote, but sounds like my man has put some serious thought into this.

Of course, right now there’s no indication that this plan has proceeded any further than Timbaland’s fertile imagination. What do you think? Should Tim’s Twilight dream become a reality? Or would you rather he put his brainstorming energy into something else, like convincing his buddy Justin Timberlake to (please!) make another album already? Listen to Timbaland’s “Morning After Dark” after the jump — the verses are fairly unremarkable, but that freaky vocal-filter hook sure is catchy — and decide.

READ FULL STORY »

Oct 19 2009 05:40 PM ET

Lily Allen abducts Elton John -- in her video dreams

by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Categories: Elton John, Let's Argue!, Lily Allen, Music, Things That Are British, Things That Make Us Uncomfortable, Video Gaga

It seems Lily Allen is intent on reopening a year-old spat with Elton John — judging by the music video for her latest single “Who’d Have Known.”

Last September, the pair hosted the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, during which Allen surprised no one by becoming soused and swearing onstage. Being a knight and all that, Elton John felt the need to stand up for propriety and hint that Allen should stop with the champagne. Allen succinctly replied, “F– off Elton, I’m 40 years younger than you, I have my whole life ahead of me.” His response? “I could still snort you under the table.”

Yeah, it’s hard to say who the real “victor” was in that argument, but in her new video Lily tries to have the final diss. Covered in eyeshadow thick enough to make Julie Newmar blush, Lily abducts Sir Elton (shown in photos, but played by a look-alike), ties him up in her living room, and forces him to profess his love for her. Watch the British songstress seductively torment the Crocodile Rocker below:

The whole thing seems strangely believable, which is either a testament to her acting skills or an indication that she should seek therapy. At the same 2008 awards show, Lily also announced that she’d take Tony Bennett to bed in spite of his age. Let’s hope there’s not a music video following up on that in her future.

What do you think? Is this whole thing funny or disturbing? By our reckoning, it’s still not the creepiest Elton John-related video out there.

Oct 19 2009 05:33 PM ET

Ben Gibbard acts! Watch the Death Cab for Cutie frontman earn his SAG card

by Leah Greenblatt

Categories: Indie Rock, Movies, New Stuff, Things That Are Odd

Zooey Deschanel’s better half (or lesser! you decide) has already dipped his toe in cinematic waters with New Moon‘s lead single, “Meet Me on the Equinox.” Now the DCFC frontman takes center screen in John “Jim from The Office” Krasinki’s film adaptation of David Foster Wallace’s Brief Interviews with Hideous Men.

Thanks to Stereogum for the clip below:

Where do you think Gibbard falls in the pantheon of singers-turned-actors, readers — Cher in Silkwood, or Mick Jagger in Freejack?

Oct 19 2009 04:41 PM ET

New Leona Lewis video, 'Happy': Here comes the bride?

by Leah Greenblatt

Categories: Divas!, New Stuff, Video Gaga

In the video for her latest single “Happy,” from her upcoming November 17 release, Echo (holy sexy cover photo, batman), British songstress Leona Lewis looks to getting all matrimonial and happily-ever-after (in an unspecified South American-ish country? unclear).

And yet… things are not as they seem in the world of the woman who bleeds for love. Watch below for the late-game reveal:

Oct 19 2009 03:35 PM ET

No Age's improv jam to 'The Bear' at NYC's New Museum

by Joseph Brannigan Lynch

Categories: Concert Reviews, Indie Rock, Music, Things That Are Awesome, Things That Are French

Last Friday night, as part of a four-date show run in New York City, L.A. noise rockers No Age provided live musical accompaniment to a screening of the Jean-Jacques Annaud film The Bear at Manhattan’s New Museum. Experimental music, French cinema, an avant-garde museum… could an evening possibly get any artier?

No Age’s live performance to the mostly dialogue-free film didn’t feel self-conscious in any way, though—the two-man band’s guitar/drum/synthesizer additions jams worked with the mood of the film, heightening audience emotions instead of showing off musicianship and distracting from The Bear’s plot.