Are we in the middle of the great Muppet resurgence? "Sesame Street" is celebrating its triumphant 40th anniversary, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" star Jason Segal is working on a new Muppet film and the felt friends will put out a new album called Muppets Revisited in February of next year (it will feature bands like Weezer, the Fray and My Morning Jacket covering classic Muppet tunes). For the video below, the Muppets paid tribute to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" with a spot-on parody of both the song and the classic video.
The clip features plenty of Muppet heavy hitters like Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and Rizzo the Rat, but also has drop-ins from Sam Eagle, Swedish Chef and Camilla the Chicken. The best moment comes during the "Mama" portion of the tune, which features a lead vocal from Animal (Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem make their appearance later). Most notably, Kermit the Frog doesn't drop in until the very end of the clip (for a pretty good zinger to close things out).
The Muppet "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not only a great comedy clip (the Beaker gags are especially sharp), but it also sort of rocks. Check out the clip below, and look out for your favorite Henson character. This could easily become the best Internet meme in the history of the Web, but which classic tune should the Muppets tackle next?
"The Twilight Saga: New Moon" opened up to a record-busting weekend, bringing in over $140 million over the weekend (making it the third-largest film opening of all time, behind "Spider-Man 3" and "The Dark Knight"). Certainly the business generated by the second film in the series was due to the buzz created by stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart last week. The promotional push doesn't slow down this week on the TV talk shows, many of which are dark or running limited schedules because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Tonight, Ashley Greene will try to follow Pattinson's appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman," while co-star Taylor Lautner will be Conan O'Brien's guest on "The Tonight Show."
Letterman also has some top-shelf musical talent this week, as he welcomes Rihanna on Tuesday night (November 24) and Adam Lambert on Wednesday (November 25). Conan, meanwhile, has Timbaland on tonight and Weezer on Tuesday. Need more Weezer? Check them out on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" tonight. Kimmel will also have Wolfmother and the winner of "Dancing with the Stars" (almost certainly Mya) on Tuesday.
Perhaps the strangest encounter this week will happen on "The Jay Leno Show," which tonight not only has California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger but also Lady Gaga, who is coming off a triumphant performance at last night's American Music Awards. Hardcore hip-hop heads can look forward to Jimmy Fallon's show every night (because you always get killer stuff from the Roots), but Wednesday night's episode of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" will feature a performance from Mos Def and Talib Kweli, who collaborated on the legendarily great album Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star and will no doubt throw down something fierce with the house band. But the story is still "New Moon" and probably will be for some time.
The first week of November is almost behind us, and while the march toward the holidays is already on, that doesn't mean the music world took any time off. In fact, the next few weeks should be quite exciting, with oodles of new music, video and tour news coming at a rapid pace. The MTV Newsroom team will be all over everything as soon as it breaks, but for now, catch yourself up on everything that you might have missed.
Weezer's new album Raditude is in stores now, and the single "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" is making big waves (it currently climbing up Billboard's rock songs chart). The album is Weezer's strongest in years, as it does an impressive job balancing the huge riffs, sweet melodies and frontman Rivers Cuomo's cheeky lyrics. Highlights include the driving "I'm Your Daddy" (which is the album's second single), the sweet "I Don't Want to Let You Go" and the jittery, pulsating "Tripping Down the Freeway."
One of the most interesting aspects of the album is the title itself. "The Office" star and Weezer pal Rainn Wilson came up with the name, but according to Cuomo, didn't provide any explanation or context for it. "He didn't say what it meant, so I've had to come up with my own definition," Cuomo told MTV News. "In my mind, 'raditude' is that state you reach when you're midway through the show, you're super-focused, and you stop thinking and stop criticizing yourself. And then suddenly you're able to pull off these amazing stunts, like a backflip or a super high note or a really fast guitar solo."
Cuomo has probably experienced a lot of raditude in the past few years, as his band has gone from a sheepish combo to an absolute arena-sized monster, able to rock thousands of people at once just like Cuomo's idols in Kiss. He said that it took him a long time to become a comfortable frontman, but now that he is able to read the crowd, it has informed both the way the band plays and the types of songs they write.
In the meantime, Cuomo knows that more people can benefit from the feeling that his album is supposed to give. "I'm sure athletes will recognize that sensation of raditude," he said. "When they're able to just plow through the defense and score a goal."
I spent Monday afternoon in the presence of a guy who has informed not only my musical history but also my overall world view. I sat down with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo to talk about his band's new album Raditude, his current mental state (he's pretty happy) and his recent collaborations with Katy Perry and Adam Lambert. Cuomo was his usual genial and thoughtful self, and he was totally game to talk about everything — including the Weezer Snuggie.
I've actually interviewed Cuomo a lot, but this was the first time we were in the same room together, and it was sort of a surreal experience. His band's development and evolution has basically mirrored my life as a music fan, a lifestyle that has obviously informed my current career choice. Weezer's self-titled debut came out in the middle of 1994. I was in the sixth grade and still didn't really have a clean grasp on what was cool in rock music (I'm pretty sure I thought Crash Test Dummies were the best band ever at that point). But the first time I heard "Buddy Holly," I knew that rock music was going to lord over my life in a significant way. I'll admit something to you: Even though I wrote a book about the grunge era, I didn't know who Kurt Cobain was until he died, and Nirvana's records didn't become meaningful to me until the summer before going into eighth grade. I'm supposed to have fuzzy feelings about "Smells Like Teen Spirit," but for me, the song that changed everything was "Buddy Holly."
As Weezer progressed, so did I. They put out their "difficult" second album (the moody Pinkerton) right around the time I was embracing the outer fringes of rock music. When the band went on hiatus around the turn of the century, I didn't really notice because I was distracted by a latent education in hip-hop. (My hip-hop Nevermind was Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star, if that makes any sense.) When they returned in 2001, I was first getting my feet wet thinking about pop music in a more critical, analytical way (the self-titled "Green" album was one of the first CDs I attempted to review).
Your idols almost always disappoint you (I've had countless disappointing encounters with artists who were on posters on my wall at age 15), but Cuomo was different. I can safely say that he is exactly the guy you think you're going to get, which make his records honest in a way that most people don't think is possible. So thanks for being real, Mr. Cuomo, and keep kicking out those nerdy jams.
Today marks the release of Raditude, the seventh album from Weezer. Amazingly, the group has been around for 15 years and has survived a handful of personnel changes and more than one shift in focus. But unlike fellow rock veterans Foo Fighters (who are looking back on their career with their Greatest Hits, also out today), Weezer continue to evolve with time and roll with new trends.
On their last album (2008's self-titled "Red" album), they produced a video for the single "Pork and Beans" that sought to grab hold of dozens of different Internet memes all at once. Raditude features a collaboration with Lil Wayne. And now you can grab yourself an official Weezer-branded Snuggie (which the band calls "The Wuggie"). It's a sleeved blanket with "Weezer" written across the front, and if you order one from the band's official Web site, you'll score a copy of Raditude to go along with it. It's an amazing concept, but even Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo isn't entirely sure why.
"It's hard to understand the appeal of this product," Cuomo told MTV News. "Obviously it's a giant hit, but I don't really understand why. But as soon as we came up with the idea, we were like, 'Yes! This is it!' Cultural critics are going to have to go back and figure out what was going on here. It was genius, but at this moment we don't know why."
They have certainly proven to be practical. Last Friday (October 30), the band performed "I'm Your Daddy" (the next single from Raditude) on "The Late Show with David Letterman" while wearing the unusual garments. It helped keep the group warm (Letterman notoriously keeps his studio at a frosty 45 degrees) and made for easy play as well. "The Weezer Snuggie is actually very easy to play in — that's one of the greatest things about it," Cuomo explained. "You're able to strum the guitar, you're able to do fist pumps and pound the drums and stay warm."
Unless you're Weezer, the self-titled album is usually reserved for a band's debut. It says, "Here we are, this is everything we represent as a group." There are some exceptions, of course, but that's been the general rule for most of rock history. However, Say Anything's new self-titled collection (which hits stores today) is actually their fourth full-length, and it follows their epic double-disc In Defense of the Genre. So why the reset?
"It was originally called This Is Forever," Bemis told MTV News. "But we realized that with the new album, we were really re-establishing ourselves as a band. [In Defense of the Genre] really represents my later adolescence. People do really smart and cool things when they're 19 or 20 years old. I tried so hard, and it was really an ambitious record. Our new record is more of a grown-up record. In a way, it's poppier and it skews younger. I don't think it's a step down or a dumbed down version of the last record. If anything, it's smarter."
Though the new album opened with a single called "Hate Everyone,"Say Anything really does represent growth and progress for one of rock music's most notorious malcontents. What changed? He recently got married (to Sherri DuPree of Eisley). But domestic life hasn't softened him. If anything, he explains, it's made him sharper. "The things I write about now are actually bigger. Now I can step back and say 'What is actually wrong?' Because there's less ego involved, and less pride," he explained. "I walk around sort of pissed even more at things in society or things I recognize in myself. I don't live an illusion now — if anything, I'm more awake."
Stock up on water, hide your children and do not look directly at its bright shimmering light, because 30-second song previews of have hit the Web. Pop music will never be the same!
OK, so there's some hyperbole there. (Blame my inner Glambert for taking over.) So before I start claiming his body parts, let's put on sci-fi lab-coats and break down the song previews in a (somewhat) level-headed manner.
» "Music Again"
The album kicks off with what sounds like will be my favorite Adam Lambert song, penned by Justin Hawkins of the Darkness. It's got "Bohemian Rhapsody" harmonies, an AC/DC-inspired guitar riff and boastful lyrics that have the "Idol" runner-up deservedly planting his freak flag into pop culture's landscape. "There've been many moons before I met you/ And I ain't going nowhere," he snarls. Damn straight! Welcome to the party, Adam. You came just in time. (Bonus: As the snippet fades out, one can hear the rocker sing the phrase "raison d'être." It's my new ringtone.)
» "For Your Entertainment"
The synths that pulsate throughout Adam's single aren't the only things throbbing. Lambert is hot and bothered and he's ready to rough you up. With his music, of course. (Who am I kidding? He's singing about doing it.) It's a straightforward single that doesn't really display his glam rock influences (even if he name-dropped T. Rex and Gary Glitter on Ryan Seacrest's radio show), but nonetheless, it's a super-smart radio-friendly choice for a kickoff single. I just hope I never hear my mom sing it.
» "Whataya Want From Me" Pink and Max Martin wrote this mid-tempo rocker with a gorgeous hook. We know Kris Allen wrote a song about the pressure and frustrations of living up to the "Idol" crown (see "Let It Rain" off Allen's upcoming debut disc). Lambert could very well be singing about a similar theme. "What do you want from me/ Just don't give up/ I'm working it out/ Please don't give in/ I won't let you down." So far, you haven't let us down, Adam. Just keep doing you.
» "Strut"
Ah, the infamous "Strut." Fans have been buzzing about this song the longest, ever since a description appeared in Rolling Stone. Adam's voice is backed by a chorus of mini-Lamberts as he sings about not wanting to be solo, which is then followed by a short guitar solo. Clever! I'm eager to hear the rest of this track, co-written by Lambert and "Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi. Read more...
It's been an active couple of days for Katy Perry: She celebrated her birthday with the help of Russell Brand and Taylor Swift on Saturday (October 24), and today it's possible she celebrated the official "AMTV" premiere of "Starstruckk," the new video from 3OH!3 that features Perry both on the song and in the clip. It's an excellent slice of jittery, dance-infused alt-pop that gets a very nice boost from Perry's presence. The whole clip revolves around a large public fountain and features a handful of slow-motion shots of busty models, but the most eye-catching female is Perry herself, who dances with the 3OH!3 guys while wearing some sort of strange leotard, and changes into a strange pink and black dress for a frolic in the fountain herself.
The men of 3OH!3 are currently on tour in Europe (their next show in the United States is a spot on the KIIS Jingle Ball in Los Angeles in December). Meanwhile, Perry is recovering from her birthday party and also hard at work on her second album, the follow-up to her debut smash One of the Boys. A number of collaborators have come by Perry's recording studio, including Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, producer Greg Wells (who worked with Perry on her first album) and songwriter Cathy Dennis (who penned "I Kissed a Girl" and the Jonas Brothers' "Paranoid," among other hits). She'll also be releasing an album commemorating her "MTV Unplugged" performance on November 17, which will feature two new recordings: A Perry original called "Brick by Brick" and a cover of Fountains of Wayne's "Hackensack" (from their 2003 album Welcome Interstate Managers). In the meantime, Perry's performance in "Starstruckk" will keep us well distracted until she surfaces again.
Last week, David Archuleta and I serenaded MTV staffers with Christmas carols in celebration of his new holiday album Christmas from the Heart. Needless to say, Archuleta's fans were happier than Ryan Seacrest at a tanning salon. Aside from the expected flailing we received from the Archie-Angels, we got a lot of questions about the Christmas sweaters he and I donned during the shoot. Where did they come from? Is he going to wear that on his upcoming Christmas tour? Did you have to twist his arm to play dress up?
So, by popular demand, here's the sweater song. (Cue Weezer.)
As I mentioned in my recent blog, the "American Idol" runner-up was a sweetheart, but convincing him to wear that silly Christmas sweater involved a little bit of begging.
At the end of our sit-down interview — where we discussed both the Christmas record and his upcoming "more personal" pop album — it was time to get our yule on. Although David knew we were going caroling for the shoot, I'm not so sure he knew it involved props and a specific wardrobe. His defeated "Christmas ... sweaters ..." says it all. (Note the desperation in my voice mere nanoseconds after he sounded less-than-enthused.)
Being the gracious young man that he is, though, it didn't take too much cajoling to convince David to play along. He even added a scarf for flair! By the end of the shoot, Archuleta was so comfortable in the itchy old sweater that he almost left the building still wearing it, along with our microphone. Whoops! (Fun semi-related "Idol" journalist trivia: After a recent interview, Kris Allen left Z-100 wearing Entertainment Weekly's microphone, forcing EW.com's Michael Slezak to race out of the building and chase down Kris' car. Now that I think of it, I'm 99 percent sure Slezak did that on purpose to score an extra couple of seconds with the "Idol" winner. Sneaky!)
It pains me to admit it, but the red and green snowflake sweaters are all mine. Read more...
