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Slayer Pinball: Metal, Physics On Your iPhone

Posted 6/24/10 10:00 am EST by in Music


In their nearly 30 years together as a band, Slayer have done and seen it all. They have sold millions of albums, toured all over the world, collaborated with any number of legends and have managed to stay relevant in a metal world that doesn't necessarily allow people to age gracefully. They're still hardcore, and still creating incredible music (2009's World Painted Blood was a fantastic blast of savagery that was one of the best unheralded releases of last year). But up until recently, they had never lent their name, music and philosophy to an iPhone game.

All that changed with the release of "Slayer Pinball Rocks HD," currently available for $2.99 at the Apple App store (and is also compatible on the iPad). It lives up to its own name, as it totally rocks. The game borrows tracks from World Painted Blood and features a tremendous physics engine that involves incredibly realistic pinball action. There are also plenty of metal growls and voiceovers from the guys in the band, which gives it that extra bit of metal atmosphere. It's as though you're in a pinball arcade with the members of Slayer egging you on as you try to score yet another multi-ball bonus.

While it doesn't quite match the majesty of the greatest rock-based pinball game of all time (that would be Kiss Pinball, which was an actual machine that could be played in the real world), "Slayer Pinball Rocks HD" is a worthy adversary. Is it the most hardcore game available for the iPad? We think so.

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Wyclef Jean Invites Everybody To The Carnival: Wake-Up Video

Posted 6/24/10 9:00 am EST by in Wake-Up Video


The Fugees were the very definition of a cultural phenomenon when their breakthrough album The Score took over most of 1996. Though it was a fairly traditional hip-hop album, it crossed all sorts of borders and attracted fans of rock, R&B, pop and everything in between. The singles — especially "Killing Me Softly" and "Fu-Gee-La" — turned Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill and Pras into internationally recognized superstars. Enthusiasm over the Fugees was intense, and Wyclef was quickly becoming a go-to guy for collaborations and production work. That's why the fervor over his first solo album, which was released on this day in 1997, was so hardcore.

The excitement was well earned, and The Carnival (or more specifically Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival Featuring Refugee All Stars, the record's actual full title) delivered on all levels. It took the approach of The Score and blew it open in just about every direction, augmenting a core hip-hop sound with bits of reggae, soca, folk, rock, traditional R&B, soul and disco. The Carnival also introduced the world to the extended Fugees family, including rapper/producer John Forté.

To get a sense of the crazy eclecticism of The Carnival's sound, you need only look at the singles. "Gone Till November" was a track that brought together funky R&B flavor and acoustic folk (the video famously featured a cameo by Bob Dylan, which has to be the only time Dylan was associated with a song with a lyric like "You sucka MCs/ You got no flow"). "Guantanamera" took some traditional island music and toughened it up for the streets. But there was no greater piece of jiu-jitsu than "We Trying to Stay Alive," which bit the bassline from the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive" and turned it into a savage statement of purpose. The video even borrowed from "Saturday Night Fever," which looks sort of ridiculous now, but in '97, 'Clef could do no wrong.

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'So You Think You Can Dance' Recap: Out Of The Comfort Zone

Posted 6/24/10 8:00 am EST by in Television


By Sandrine Milet

After Wednesday night's (June 23) episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" and with only 10 contestants remaining, it's easy to say that at this point, it's anyone's game. There weren't any outstanding performances (such as Alex Wong's last week) nor were there any terrible routines that made the judges say "get ready to dance for your life tomorrow." But although there was a lack of standing ovations, dramatic tears or complete upsets, one thing is for sure: We got to see many of the dancers step out of their comfort zones.

The best was getting to see Billy Bell, the amazing technical contemporary dancer, attempt to krump in a routine with Comfort that was choreographed by Lil C. He definitely seemed out of place, which Adam pointed out was a "failed experiment," but I'll have to agree with Nigel in that he really tried his best and gave it his all. I don't think we'll be seeing him krump again any time soon, but the judges concluded that he's an amazing dancer besides that, so it really doesn't matter (but isn't versatility a big part of the show?).

Jose chose Katherine, and together they danced a Bollywood routine. Even though he struggled with the style (and struggled to even understand what Bollywood is), he had fun and kept a smile on the whole time while tackling the steps. Robert was also completely out of his element, as he was paired up with Anya to dance a steamy Paso Doble. I thought the performance as a whole was great, but the judges weren't in complete agreement. Nigel thought it was fantastic, Mia wanted more power and commitment and Adam agreed with both of them (he, apparently, is "Switzerland").

This time around, the judges thought that Melinda (the tapper) did a solid job in a contemporary routine with Ade with choreography by Stacey Tookey. I found the routine to be forgettable, but the judges felt that her legs, feet and lines were impressive. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Ashley dance in a style different then her own (the Travis Wall jazz routine didn't look more like a contemporary routine), but all in all, she looked great.

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MTV's World Cup Of Rock: Australia Vs. Denmark

Posted 6/23/10 5:30 pm EST by in Music


It's MTV's World Cup of Rock! The World Cup is the greatest sporting event on the planet, a super-sized stage where legends are born with every strike of the ball, where infamy is just a moment away and where the dreams of millions live or die by the minute. That's why, in the spirit of the 2010 MTV Musical March Madness competition, we've created "The World Cup (Of Rock)," a FIFA-style tournament that takes 16 of the biggest nations — rock-wise (sorry Algeria) — and pits them against one another to determine just which is the most rockingly awesome. Heavyweights like the U.S.A., England, France and Germany are all here, but so are a handful of surprisingly strong sleeper countries. As the Cup progresses, we'll be unveiling the match-ups, and it's up to you to vote your favorites through. In the end, only one nation will be left standing: the world champion of rock.

Today's World Cup action was incredible, with the United States making an incredible comeback to win Group C and move on to the next round. Their next showdown will be this Saturday (June 26) against Ghana, who finished in second place in Group D. Meanwhile, the World Cup of Rock games continue, with two more strong contenders going at it today.

Australia vs. Denmark
As noted previously, Australia has one of the loudest teams in the entire tournament, with acts like AC/DC, Jet and Silverchair on the front lines. But Denmark scores because of their unpredictability. Plus, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich was not only born in Denmark but also has quite the athletic past (he was a tennis prodigy and initially moved to Los Angeles to further develop his game). Will that be enough to overcome the noise from down under? Only you can decide!

Be sure to vote in all the games in the MTV World Cup of Rock! Which nation's stars rock the hardest and best? Only you can decide!

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Eminem's Greatest Hits Reconsidered

Posted 6/23/10 5:00 pm EST by in Music


With the release of Recovery, Eminem has unleashed another batch of killer songs into the universe. As an album, it ranks right up there with his best work and contains at least three songs that feel like instant classics. For anybody arriving at Slim Shady's party a little late, a walk through his past work is essential, but the hits compilation Curtain Call isn't necessarily the place to start. For one, it doesn't include anything from Relapse or Recovery, which means that Eminem's comeback isn't represented at all. It also doesn't contain any of Em's most valuable guest spots, posse cuts or one-offs, making it woefully incomplete.

So just as we did with that new Oasis greatest hits album that hit stores last week, let's take a look at what songs we would keep, collect and kick to the curb on "Curtain Call."

Keep'Em
"The Way I Am"
"Stan"
"My Name Is"
"Lose Yourself"
"Without Me"
"The Real Slim Shady"
"Guilty Conscience"
"Cleanin' Out My Closet"
Each one of these songs was not only a giant radio hit but also a solid artistic achievement for the rapper. Each one is catchy, powerful and brutally honest.

Kick'Em
"Shake That"
"Sing for the Moment"
"Like Toy Soldiers"
"Mockingbird"
"Just Lose It"
"When I'm Gone"
"Fack"
All of these tunes are guilty of being too much of one thing or being somewhat redundant in the Eminem catalogue (for example, "Just Lose It" is essentially a less interesting version of "Without Me"). Read More...

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Taylor Swift 'Inspired' By Nashville Outreach: The MTV News Quote Of The Day

Posted 6/23/10 4:30 pm EST by in Music


"Thankfully, the people that are close to me that lost their houses have found different places to live, and I've really seen them help each other. It's been really inspiring. As soon as I even heard that they're putting something together, I just volunteered and I said I want to do this and I want to help out. It's really wonderful that Tim and Faith stepped to action so quickly. I'm just really happy to be a part of it."

-Country sensation Taylor Swift, discussing her participation in Tuesday night's (June 22) Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery. Swift shared the stage with Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Sandra Bullock at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to raise money for people devastated and displaced by the flooding that plagued the Tennessee city earlier this spring. The flood waters not only destroyed the homes of musicians but also delivered a great deal of damage to a handful of landmarks in Music City (including some damage to the legendary Grand Ole Opry).

Underwood felt the same way about the effort that her peers put forward to try to lend some support. "You hear everything from people losing possessions to entire houses being gone. I've heard of people living in tents in their backyard," the former "American Idol" winner and hitmaker said. "You just hear the worst of the worst and hope that in some way there's something you can do about it. It is for a good cause so I feel like everyone [was happy to be] giving. You look out there and everybody's at their best."

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Spotted: Adam Lambert Brings Glam To New York

Posted 6/23/10 3:45 pm EST by in Music


Every day a multitude of stars wander through the halls of MTV News to talk about their latest projects and goof around with our intrepid correspondents. But sometimes we catch stars elsewhere, and that's why we put together Spotted!, a daily compendium of stars in the wild.

It has been more than a year since Adam Lambert came in second place on the eighth season of "American Idol" and about seven months since the release of his debut album For Your Entertainment. Based on the reaction Lambert got during a tour stop at the Nokia Theater in New York City's Times Square, the vuvuzela-like buzz surrounding Lambert hasn't died down a bit. Fans lined up outside the venue 24 hours in advance of the doors opening to get a good spot on the floor for Lambert's hour-long set. Lambert didn't disappoint, as he wore glam-friendly costumes while running through songs from For Your Entertainment and a handful of covers that became his signature songs on "American Idol." Lambert also delivered a killer light show and two strong sets from his opening acts: Breakout female guitar star Orianthi and fellow "American Idol" finalist Allison Iraheta. They'll be back again for another show tonight (June 23), and MTV News' own Jim Cantiello will be catching up with Mr. Lambert before the show.

Lambert wasn't the only star out in the open, as Ke$ha lent a hand during the CNN-hosted telethon benefiting victims of the BP oil spill and Nick Jonas went on a shopping trip in London. Click here for these photos as well as the entire "Spotted!" archive, which features over 400 candid shots of stars like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Diddy, Madonna and 50 Cent!

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Hanson Reveal Five Things You Might Not Know About Them

Posted 6/23/10 3:00 pm EST by in Music


Though the oldest member has not yet turned 30, the men from Hanson have been around the block a bit. Apparently, that's what happens when your band blows up before you get the chance to go to the prom. Now an indie pop rock band with a rabid fan base and a new album, Shout It Out, they have grown up quite a lot since the "MMMBop" days. And while it feels like there's so much we already know about Isaac, Zac and Taylor, there is still so much more that feels like a mystery. So, when the guys recently stopped by the MTV Newsroom to chat about their new album and their tour, we decided to have them play a little game we like to call "Five Things We Don't Know About You."

And, boy, did we learn a lot.


Here's what we got:
1: They do, in fact, get into arguments with one another. "It's pretty intense sometimes," Isaac says.
2: "We're not from Australia," explains Zac. Since they're actually from Tulsa, Oklahoma, we find it a little strange that this would ever be a misconception.
3: "We're not Mormon," declares Taylor.
4 and 5: Zac says, "I have the smallest feet. I have over 30,000 gamer points."
6: Finally, Taylor finishes it off. "Another foot one," he says. "I prefer not to wear socks."

Perhaps one more thing you may not know about Hanson: They always go the extra mile. That's why they delivered six great facts instead of the normal five. Also, it's a little unusual they didn't share their love for fictional bands. Want to know more? Check out the video above for more enlightening revelations straight from the Hanson's mouth.

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Drake's Album Sales, The Situation's Fashion Line And Daniel Radcliffe: Three To See

Posted 6/23/10 2:15 pm EST by in Music


Every morning, MTV News delivers the top news stories in music, movies and pop culture hot and fresh for your reading and watching pleasure. We then bring together a trio of the biggest headlines for "Three to See," the daily digest of the top stories making noise on our site and across the Internet. This morning, stories about Drake's album sales, the Situation's new clothing line and casting news for the remake of "All Quiet on the Western Front" lead the way.

Drake Sells 460K In First Week
Drake's debut album Thank Me Later certainly lived up to the hype. The Canadian rapper's full-length debut moved almost a half million copies in its first week of release, making it the third biggest debut of 2010 (just behind releases by Sade and Lady Antebellum). Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Sarah McLachlan also debuted big.

The Situation To Launch Fashion Line
Following in the footsteps of fellow "Jersey Shore" castmate JWoww, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino will be launching his own fashion line. Starting next month, people will be able to purchase T-shirts, sweatshirts, dress clothes and accessories that bear the Situation's mark.

Daniel Radcliffe Cast In Remake Of "All Quiet On The Western Front"
Though he's used to handling himself in a Hogwarts classroom, Daniel Radcliffe will soon be testing his mettle in the first World War. The actor will star in a remake of "All Quiet on the Western Front," which tells the story of German soldier Paul Baumer and the horror of fighting in the trenches. Shooting will begin in the spring of 2012.

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Eminem Becomes Marshall Mathers For 'Popology'

Posted 6/23/10 1:30 pm EST by in Music


They say a well-rounded education is the key to success, and if that truly is the case, the my schooling is woefully incomplete when it comes to the subject of pop. That's why we bring you "Popology," the guide to modern radio-friendly stars as seen through the eyes of a guy who grew up on punk and metal. In case you missed previous installments, catch up with Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and others here

This week, Eminem introduces us to his government name.

"Slim Shady does not give a f--- what you think." That's how Eminem's sophomore album The Marshall Mathers LP opens, and it's amazing how little his attitude has changed in the 10 years since that album was released. Eminem's new album Recovery — which just hit stores this week — represents a great deal of maturation for the man born Marshall Mathers. Sonically, it's far more complicated than his earlier work, but the real change is in the lyrics. The focus has shifted from wanton violence to a more personal, confessional air about his struggles with addiction and his longevity in the business. But above all else, Eminem is still the same singularity he was when he first burst onto the scene with The Slim Shady LP. He's still his own man with his own point of view on the world. He doesn't allow other people to influence him, for better or for worse. He still doesn't give a f--- what you think.

While The Slim Shady LP (and especially "My Name Is") was a success, it was The Marshall Mathers LP that turned Eminem into a pop superstar. "The Real Slim Shady" became and instant staple on "TRL," and the album sold nearly two million copies in its first week of release (it has moved over 19 million units worldwide). It topped the Billboard album chart for two months, which made it the clearly dominant release during a season that also saw high-profile albums by the likes of Britney Spears and *NSYNC move millions of albums. It is regularly cited as one of the best albums of the 2000s and one of the best hip-hop albums in history. It was a true phenomenon in a truly different time.

The Marshall Mathers LP is an incredible accomplishment, full of just about everything that makes Eminem unique. Read More...

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