News for Now

Sufjan gets his EP on, Big Boi gets his tour on, and I wish Missy Elliott still got her freak on.

Apparently, I still feel like I'm living in an ancient time during which Sufjan Stevens said he was quitting music. Or was that only a few months ago? Anyway, I was quite surprised to hear about his new EP, All Delighted People, which is currently streaming for free on Pitchfork right now and available for a $5 download on Sufjan's Bandcamp page. With eight songs that total around 60 minutes, it's safe to say that Sufjan's "EPs" are basically just LPs in cute disguises.

Who can't get enough of Big Boi right now? The whole world. Thankfully, at least some of the world will have their Big Boi needs fulfilled by his upcoming fall tour. Well, there's nothing really "upcoming" about it as it started on Wednesday. Anywho, he's hitting up loads of locales like Chicago, NYC, Atlanta, Bloomington, Seattle, etc. Just know that if he's heading towards your town, you have to be wherever he is, ya hear?

Color me thrilled! Matt & Kim are coming out with a new single! And oddly enough, they worked with Animal Collective producer Ben Allen, so it could be a slightly different pace for the duo. "Cameras" will digitally drop on August 31. It's the best back-to-school present you could ever get.

How great is this? Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice are now recording together as Jenny and Johnny, and they're set to release their first album, I'm Having Fun Now. Oh, and it comes out on August 31, so just plan on listening to great music all day long. Also, they're headed out on tour starting on September 1 and going through October 30. Date night, anyone?

Posted by Alyssa Vincent on Aug 20, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

big boi, sufjan stevens, matt & kim, Jenny and Johnny

Business Casual Superstar

Look, I'm not saying that Huma just came up with an EPIC fan mix that blew my fucking mind. But I'm not *not* saying that either.

Oh, man, you guys, do I come bearing goodies today. This is going to be a long one (that's what she said), so, paraphrasing Barney Stinson played by the genius and not at all "useless" (ANDY >:( ahem) Neil Patrick Harris, BUCKLE UP. ...Yeah, 'suit up' sounds better.

Anyway, as you've already seen from the title (spoiler ALERT) this one is about Lily Aldrin, the character that spends most of her time as Marshall's fiance/wife. Lily is one half of creator Carter Bays's vision of an ideal romantic couple...

Read On

Posted by Huma Rashid on Aug 18, 2010 @ 10:10 am

lily aldrin, How I met Your Mother, Fan Mix

News for Now

The Expendables punches Eat, Pray, Love in the box office FACE, Broken Social Scene gets remixed by DJ Mom Jeans, and Erykah Badu pays to get naked.

Mere words cannot begin to convey the venomous feelings that I have toward Eat, Pray, Love. I liked the book for about a day, and then I woke up and realized that it was a terrible thing that should be burned. So, imagine how I feel about the film. YOU DO NOT DESERVE JAVIER BARDEM AS YOUR MOVIE BOYFRIEND, ELIZABETH GILBERT! While I'm no fan of aging action stars trying to prove that they can still get it up, I'm thrilled that The Expendables beat pansy-ass "self-discovery" at the box office with a haul of $35 million. Spoiler alert: I eat gelato all the time, and I still get confused about life. Once more with feeling: suck it, Gilbert!

Remember Danny Masterson? Yeah, me neither. But he was the sort of attractive guy with an afro on That '70s Show. Now he's a DJ (technically DJ Mom Jeans--what what! In da house!), and he's taken to remixing Broken Social Scene's "All to All." Check it out on Broken Social Scene's website, or at Spinner.

Finally, remember that nudie Erykah Badu video for "Window Seat"? Well, girlfriend's gettin' fined for it. Apparently, a bunch of people complained, and she was threatened with a fine of $500. She's paid up now, and also has to serve six months probation. That'll teach you to strip in the name of art and music!

Posted by Alyssa Vincent on Aug 17, 2010 @ 10:10 am

Eat, Pray, love, broken social scene, erykah badu

News for Now

Elliott Smith gets the greatest hits treatment, She & Him announces a presumably adorable tour, and Kanye West sort of looks like a lady on the cover art of his latest single.

If there's one singer-songwriter that everyone should know and listen to, it's Elliott Smith. Sure, I can't bear to listen to his songs most of the time (for fear of falling into a deep, yet beautifully soundtracked depression), but there's no doubt that he was one of the most talented musicians in recent history. Haven't gotten around to Mr. Smith yet? Check out this super-accessible compilation that'll drop on November 2. It's called Introduction to...Elliott Smith, and offers 14 of his best tracks.

In duo news, She & Him will embark on a tour starting in late August with scattered dates throughout late October. I hope to go check them out just so I have another way to describe them besides "awwww!" I'm sure they're actually talented live and stuff like that.

Alright, stick with me here--Kanye just released a new track off his forthcoming album called "See Me Now", and it features Beyonce. But in my one-track mind, that's not really newsworthy. What is newsworthy is the cover art for the single--doesn't he kind of look like Grace Jones? I mean, mentally airbrush out the chest hair, and you've basically got Gracie. I'm just saying, if he freaks out again and has to leave the spotlight, he could have a great second career as a female impersonator.

Posted by Alyssa Vincent on Aug 13, 2010 @ 1:13 pm

elliott smith, kanye west, beyonce, She & Him.

The Week in Geek

Amy just submitted her official nomination for "douche of the year." Plus there's stuff going on with "Lost," even though that show has been over for like 5 years now, right? Gawd people, MOVE ON.

Dear internet, why must you give the unemployed masses hope?

On Monday Read On

Posted by Amy Dittmeier on Aug 12, 2010 @ 12:12 pm

lost, Douche of the Year, Farmville, Dry Eraseboard Quit