"Single Ladies" featuring Arianna

This song has spawned it's share of spoofs but none as cute at this one!
Sorry Justin...

I jizzed in my pants...

Shown on SNL, this video featuring Justin Timberlake (can you guess where he is?) is making waves on the web.

Top 15 albums of 2008

Every year, drafting up a list of the top albums is always a heart-breaking process. There is so much good stuff being done locally, nationally and internationally it's really hard to narrow down sometimes. The minute I post the list and continue thinking about it, some albums should have been left off and others should have made it on. The list is compiled based on the amount of times I returned to the album, the originality of the songs, I also ask myself if the material is a departure for the artist (if they've previously released material). I also included french records. So...I can't keep it to 10.. Here are the top 15. Feel free to comment and add some of the albums that have left an impression with you this year.


1.”Flavors of Entanglement”,Alanis Morissette
2.”The Baroness”, Sarah Slean
3.”Tous les sens”, Ariane Moffatt
4.”Viva la Vida or Death and all his friends”, Coldplay
5.”The Seventh Tree” Goldfrapp
6.”Red Letter Year” Ani Difranco
7.”Asking for flowers” Kathleen Edwards
8.”Funhouse” Pink
9.”La ligne orange” Mes Aieux
10.”L’arbre à fruits” Caracol
11.”Is it o.k.” Serena Ryder
12.”Strobelite Seduction” Kaskade
13.”One of the boys” Katy Perry
14.”I know you’re married but I’ve got feelings too” Martha Wainwright
15.”With you” Natalie Walker

REVIEW - "Milk"

Sean Penn is « Harvey Milk » and he wans to recruit you! “Milk” is based on the real life story of Harvey Milk, the first publicly gay man elected to a major office in the United States. He was eventually shot and killed. Set against the backdrop of San Fransisco, in the heart of the Castro district in the 70’s, “Milk” follows the ascension of Harvey Milk to public office and his birthing of an important gay movement. It’s only fitting that this movie was released a few weeks after Californians voted in favor of Prop. 8 and stripped gays and lesbians of their right to marry. Sean Penn, as always, is brilliant in capturing the mannerisms of Harvey Milk by tapping into the awkwardness and shyness this man must have dealth with: going from total obscurity to being an important gay activist. The movie has everything to tug at your heart srings: a main character you want to root for, a cause you may or may not believe in, some empowering dialogue and it also incorporates real life “news” footage that what shot during Milk’s political life, it also has a heart-breaking ending. Where “Milk” lags is that, at times, you feel like you are watching a “how-to-become-a-politican-when-you-are-gay” and not a personal in-depth look at this man’s life. The least interesting parts of the movie have to do with the “stratetigizing” the character’s discuss to get Milk elected to office (it will take three times). Diego Luno, delivers a stand-out performance as Milk’s flaky and obsessed lover. A pivotal relationship in Milk’s life that director, Gus Van Sant, doesn’t focus on enough.
But this movie has a lot of heart and relevance.
I haven't seen it, but I've heard the that the 1985 Academy-award winning documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" is more interesting than this movie.
“Milk is in theaters now.

Sarah Slean redecorates!

Sarah Slean has released a new EP called "The Baroness Redecorates". It's a compilation of songs from "The Baroness" sessions. But you won't find this one in record stores: it's only available at her website, her shows or on I-Tunes. Quantities are limited.
For more info: www.sarahslean.com

"Mozart's Requiem" - Alberta Ballet

Last March, Alberta Ballet premiered it's "Mozart's Requiem". It was a unique collaboration between Alberta Ballet, Edmonton Opera, the ESO and The Richard Eaton Singers. It was the hottest ticket in town and sold-out rather quickly. If you didn't get a chance to see it, here is a small preview of rehearsals with commentary on the artistic vision.
I attended the premiere and qualified it as an artistic achievement. From curtain rise it took my breath away and left me in tears. One of the strongest moments is when dancer and friend Laetitia Clément takes to the stage 7-months pregnant. It is, by far, one of the finest productions I've seen in my 10 years as an arts reviewer.

"River" - Sarah McLachlan

Joni Mitchell's songs have been covered time and time again. "River" has been done by a slew of artists but none of the covers comes even remotely close to emoting like Sarah McLachlan's does. This, right up there with KD Lang's version of "A Case of You", is one of the best reprises of Joni Mitchell's material I have ever heard. Sarah's version gets me teary-eyed every time. "River" was also listed, last year, as one of the top 10 songs that "sounds" like Canada. Joni has never wanted to comment what or who the song is about. It can be found on Sarah's stellar Christmas collection "Wintersong".

My "crush" on David Archuleta.

He may have been the runner-up on last season's "American Idol" and he may have been compared to an elf, but it's hard to deny how popular David Archuleta's boyish charm is with women. I kind of like this song (the cheesy video aside). The album is pretty weak melodically and lyrically but thise dude has a sweetness to him that is hard not to crush on.

"Circus" - NEW Britney Spears

The second single off of Britney's new record "Circus". It's a kick-ass song and a pretty good video. But, the tight editing and multiple shots are masking the absence of any choreography. Britney: we want to see you dance! I think the themes we see in this video will be carried over on stage for Britney's tour. Wonder how they will get the elephants and tigers from city to city?!

"Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole" - Martha Wainwright

"Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole"

Poetry is no place for a heart that's a whore
And I'm young & I'm strong
But I feel old & tired
Overfired

And I've been poked & stoked
It's all smoke, there's no more fire
Only desire
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are

You say my time here has been some sort of joke
That I've been messing around
Some sort of incubating period
For when I really come around
I'm cracking up
And you have no idea

No idea how it feels to be on your own
In your own home
with the fucking phone
And the mother of gloom
In your bedroom
Standing over your head
With her hand in your head
With her hand in your head

I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
When all I wanted was to be good
To do everything in truth
To do everything in truth

Oh I wish I wish I wish I was born a man
So I could learn how to stand up for myself
Like those guys with guitars
I've been watching in bars
Who've been stamping their feet to a different beat
To a different beat
To a different beat

I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
When all I wanted was to be good
To do everything in truth
To do everything in truth

You bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody mother fucking asshole
Oh you bloody...

I will not pretend
I will not put on a smile
I will not say I'm all right for you
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are
For you, whoever you are

Britney Spears's "Circus"

«You don’t like me, I don’t like you, it don’t matter only difference you still listen, I don’t have to”, sings Britney Spears on “Kill the Lights” . And she’s right. A decade later we are still fascinated, curious and interested (?!) in what Britney Spears is doing. Funny for someone who, early on, had been coined as a “one-hit” wonder. “Circus” is without a doubt Britney’s most solid project (but not as progressive-a-sound as “Blackout” was). For once we are using the word circus in relation to her work as an artist, and not to her personal life. The catchy first single “Womanizer” topped the top of the charts and it’s pretty safe to say that it will be followed by a slew of catchier, dancier songs that can be found on this sixth record. Where, in the past her records effused bubble-pop and innocence, this record is perculating with sexual inuendos like the songs “Phonography” (deluxe edition) where Britney relishes in the pleasures of phone-sex or “Lace and Leather” and “Trouble” (deluxe edition). Other stand-out songs are “Unusual You”, “Shattered Glass” and “Circus”. The Guy Sigsworth ballad “Out From Under” is brilliantly produced and gives us a glimpse at Britney’s voice without Auto-Tune. Over all, listening to this album it is easy to envision it on stage. Now, the million dollar question is: is Britney’s comeback too precipitated? Some recent TV appearances have shown a very fit Britney Spears but who is still grappling with some of her dance-moves and choreographies. She seems to lack enthusiasm. So: is this a circus that will use a lot of smoke and mirrors to cover up for the very sad clown at the center of it all?
Britney Spears brings her tour to Edmonton, on April 6th. Tickets go on sale this saturday at 2 p.m.

Britney Spears - Live @ Bambi Awards