Jack White Works His Way Through Back Catalog And New Tracks At First-Ever Solo Show

Posted 3/9/12 4:09 pm EST by in Music


Jack White

By Zachary Swickey

Musical Renaissance man Jack White has already had the honor of performing on “Saturday Night Live” but it wasn’t until last night that he performed his first full live solo set at the third birthday celebration for his self-owned label, Third Man Records (via Jam Canoe).

The multi-instrumentalist showcased 19 tracks spanning his career nicely, which included songs by The White Stripes, The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather (never realized how much he likes “The” before his band names), as well as six new cuts off his forthcoming debut album Blunderbuss.

Keeping it low-key at his label’s headquarters in Nashville for the gig, White’s audience consisted of a couple hundred critics, music industry insiders, fellow bandmates and contest winners. In true White fashion, invites were found on cardboard volvelle wheels. The reception area for VIPs took place in the Third Man complex’s lounge, which was decorated with giant stuffed animals and dinosaur skulls strewn around White’s old-school office door, which strangely reads “John A White III, DDS: Family Dentistry." (Not the craziest thing to hear considering his appearance on “American Pickers.”)

White kicked his set off with the Stripes' classic ’01 track “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” followed by three Blunderbuss cuts – “Missing Pieces,” “Sixteen Saltines” “and “Love Interruption," his new single that he rocked on “SNL.”

He then went on to cover Raconteurs territory with “Top Yourself” before changing it up with a Dead Weather track, “Blue Blood Blues.” However, plenty of fan favorite hits were also covered, including “Seven Nation Army,” “My Doorbell,” Dead Weather’s “Cut Like a Buffalo” and Raconteurs’ “Steady as She Goes.”

Singer for The Dead Weather (and The Kills, of course) Allison Mosshart was spotted in the audience as well as The Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, cheering their bandmate on. Read More...

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'Turn Up The Radio' Needs to Be Madonna's Next MDNA Single

Posted 3/9/12 1:36 pm EST by in Madonna


Madonna

Yesterday I was lucky enough to get an advance listen to Madonna's much-anticipated new album MDNA, and I'm thrilled to tell you that it's exactly the return to form fans have been hoping for from the Queen of Pop. A nice mix of dark, heavy club jams, mid-tempo electronic and some truly lovely ballads, MDNA has something for every sort of Madonna fan.

While we're only now getting a snippet of the video for the album's second single, "Girl Gone Wild," listening to the album already has me thinking ahead to her next single. That's how loaded with hits this thing is. Frankly, I can name three songs that I'd have gone with as the lead single over "Give Me All Your Lovin," and I'm on the record as liking that song just fine!

But the real winner is as obvious as the nose on my face and I can't believe Madonna didn't lead with it. The song is "Turn Up The Radio" … and it's the best thing she's done since "Hung Up."

Perhaps she's just knowingly waiting until early May to drop the track as an official single because she knows it's a perfect summer song. It's a big, anthemic dance-pop wonder with glittery synths and fun lyrics like "I don't know how I got to this stage / Let me out of my cage cause I'm dying / Turn up the radio, turn up the radio / Don't ask me where I wanna go, we gotta turn up the radio."

She needs freed because she's ready to have a good time, you see! There's a propulsive energy here that feels authentic and alive. The calculated perfectionism of some of Madonna's club jams can leave you feeling a little chilly but that's not the case here. In my notes I scribbled the words "effervescent" and "happy."

"You feel the wind on your face and your skin and it's here that I begin," Madonna sings as the music cues up. It's almost like she knows this is a song designed to be listened to at full volume with the windows down. Read More...

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Kelly Clarkson To Judge On Newest Reality Singing Competition

Posted 3/9/12 11:47 am EST by in American Idol, kelly-clarkson, Television, The Voice


Kelly Clarkson

By Zachary Swickey

You can add ABC to the list of stations attempting a vocal competition show. The new program, “Duets,” will premiere this summer and boasts Kelly Clarkson, Robin Thicke, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and living legend Lionel Richie as its judging panel.

We know what you’re thinking… seriously? Another singing reality show? However, to set themselves apart from the bunch – which now includes “American Idol,” “The Voice,” “The X Factor” and The CW’s upcoming “Star Next Door,” which has Queen Latifah and Gloria Estefan as judges – “Duets” will have the judges choosing two singers to be their duet partners each night. They will perform in front of a live studio audience each week on the show.

Of course, eventually one duet contestant will remain and the top prize is a coveted contract with Hollywood Records.

Clarkson said in a statement, "The simple fact that I get to go out and find two people that I believe in, sing with them every week, and help them accomplish their dream is an amazing thing that I can't wait to be a part of!"

The ratings for “American Idol” have been suffering more than ever, “The X Factor” has received lukewarm attention and “The Voice” is becoming the new favorite, so who knows what ABC is thinking getting into the singing reality show game. “America’s Got Talent” will also be returning this summer, and while not a predominantly singing competition, the addition of Howard Stern as guest judges is bound to give ratings one heck of a boost.

Be on the lookout for “Duets” to premiere on ABC sometime this summer.

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Fiona Apple Announces New Album Title … And It's A Doozy

Posted 3/8/12 3:54 pm EST by in Music


We've been on Fiona Apple Album Watch 2012 for months.

In January, Apple's label exec LA Reid tweeted that his Eric Records had lots of good tunes in the offing, including Apple's new set. "Lots of good music coming from @Epic_Records in the next few weeks," Reid tweeted. "Stay tuned music fans. Welcome back Fiona! #BeEpic."

Soon after, when Time skeptically reached out to see if new Apple music was really do in just a few weeks, a spokesperson clarified that while 2012 would indeed see new music from the much loved singer-songwriter, it wasn't going to drop anytime soon. Saying Reid's word were "taken out of context," the rep added. "It’ll absolutely be this year,” she told the Times, “but timing-wise, I don’t know exactly when."

Well … we're most certainly getting closer as Apple has announced the title for the album, and much like her 1999 set When the Pawn…, it's, um, a mouth full – The Idler Wheel is wiser than the Driver of the Screw, and Whipping Cords will serve you more than Ropes will ever do.

Got that?

For a walk down memory lane, check out When the Pawn's full title after the jump. Read More...

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Christina Aguilera Revisits Spanish-Language Singing With Track For Will Ferrell's New Flick

Posted 3/8/12 2:00 pm EST by in Christina Aguilera


Christina Aguilera

By Zachary Swickey

Fans of Christina Aguilera’s Spanish-language work from the early aughts can rest easy as the diva is getting back to her roots by singing the title track, “Casa de Mi Padre,” on the soundtrack to Will Ferrell’s newest comedy film (via Billboard).

Ferrell’s latest comic experiment is an independently-produced comedy that is entirely in Spanish (with English subtitles of course) and is a satirical ode to telenovelas (Spanish soap operas) – quite the interesting flick to get Aguilera back to her Latin heritage.

The new tune boats no synthesizers or AutoTune, rather swooning mariachi sounds with dramatic trumpets, strings and Spanish guitars giving the atmosphere an authentic flamenco flavor. Aguilera slays the song with her insane range – showcasing her powerful vocal skills nicely.

The singer notably released a Latin Grammy-winning Spanish album, Mi Reflejo, back in 2000. The disc contained Spanish renditions of her hits “Genie In A Bottle,” “What A Girl Wants,” “Come On Over, Baby (All I Want Is You)” as well as several original Latin tracks.

The singer has only dabbled in the genre since. She released “Dame Lo Que Yo Te Doy” way back in ’02, which was a Spanish version of Stripped track “Get Mine, Get Yours,” and recorded “El Beso Del Final” for the 2004 “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” soundtrack.

You can find Aguilera’s new Spanish single on the “Casa de Mi Padre” soundtrack, which was released digitally on Tuesday. The film is set to hit theaters on Friday, March 17, with the new song being used as its grand intro.

Check it out below! Read More...

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Metallica Recruit 'Predators' Director For Mysterious 3D Film Project

Posted 3/8/12 12:00 pm EST by in Metallica, Movies


Metallica

By Zachary Swickey

Metal juggernauts Metallica have been quietly planning a mysterious 3D feature film project and now the group has found the director for the task: Hungarian filmmaker Nimród Antal.

Described as a “marriage of narrative and concert,” the film will include all five Metallica band members with Antal aiming for a summer 2013 release. The group has been hush of any more details, but considering their ’04 documentary “Some Kind of Monster,” which showcased the members in group therapy – it’s bound to be interesting.

Antal, while born in Los Angeles, headed back to his heritage in Hungary in 1991 – attending film school there and completing his award-winning debut film “Kontroll” in 1997. In 2005, Antal moved back to California and has been working in Hollywood ever since. His directing credits include ‘07’s “Vacancy” with Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. His most recent effort, “Predators,” was a (financially successful) reboot of the Schwarzenegger classic that starred Adrian Brody.

However, it was Antal’s debut that generated interest from Metallica. “I’ve been a fan of Nimród’s since his first Hungarian film, ‘Kontroll,’ showed up at Cannes in 2004 and blew everybody away,” said drummer Lars Ulrich. “I’ve watched with excitement his career in Hollywood blossom over the last few years. Within five minutes of meeting him I was addicted to his enthusiasm, his take on the creative process and his 'thinking outside of the box' personality. Let's get on with it!"

There’s no telling what Metallica has up their sleeves. After releasing a candid documentary and a scrapped video game project in 2003, the group seems up for anything.

Antal will begin shooting the untitled Metallica 3D film in August.

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Listen: Sleigh Bells' Lovely Acoustic Cover Of Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'

Posted 3/8/12 9:51 am EST by in Beyonce, Covers


Sleigh Bells

Brooklyn natives Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss of the popular indie rock outfit Sleigh Bells are big Beyonce fans. So are we, so we totally get it. They even had the chance to collaborate (kind of) with the superstar diva last year, and though the fruits of their labor never saw the light of day, the pair not only voiced their desire to work with her again to NME but also recorded a stripped down cover of her smash hit "Irreplaceable" to show how much they adore her.

"Obviously we're massive fans of her and she's a living legend. I'd love to actually work with her someday when I actually get some creative input," Miller, who mans the guitars for Bells, told NME. "I wouldn't say that it [the project] failed, it just feels like it never really happened."

Listen:

Here in the MTV Newsroom, we're loving Sleigh Bells' "Irreplaceable" cover. Their version is positively ethereal and if it's not enough to convince Queen Bey to hit the studio with the Bells for at least one of the two albums she's reportedly planning, we don't know what will.

Sleigh Bells' sophomore album, Reign of Terror dropped late last month. And if you're interested in checking out some other fantastic indie band covers of some of B's biggest hits, listen to a few over on Stereogum.

Check out Sleigh Bells live in NYC, after the jump. Read More...

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Hilary Duff Takes On Pregnancy-Related Hair Growth In Funny Or Die Vid

Posted 3/7/12 4:11 pm EST by in hilary duff, Video


It's been a very busy day on the celebrity pregnancy front.

The big news, of course, has been that MTV's own Snooki is expecting her first baby with new fiancé Jionni LaValle. And now, about-to-burst Hilary Duff is starring in a very funny new FunnyorDie video warning of an, um, unexpected side effect of pregnancy. Take note, Snooks.

(Also, Jessica Simpson posed nude for a Demi Moore-reminiscent Elle magazine cover. Unfortunately for her, it's not exactly the first thing that comes up when you Google "pregnant stars" today.)

Anyhow … In "Hilary Duff's Pregnancy Secrets," the "So Yesterday" songbird sings the praises of a new product called No-Groactive, which will help you deal with the "rampant, excessive hair growth" associated with pregnancy. "Seriously, who has time to shave their back twice a day?" Duff asks. Who indeed?

Watch:

And lest you think it is only for pregnancy-related hair growth, think again. Regardless of whether your hair is from a rare genetic disorder or you hit an old lady with your car and had a gypsy curse put on you that caused hair to grow all over your body, No-Groactive will take care of all your problems.

You know it works because it's from the makers of Proactive. Just watch out for the side effects.

Check out Hilary's tips on how to have the perfect celebrity pregnancy, including advice on live tweeting the birth (sponsored by Red Bull, of course), unique names and whether you should have a Kardashian be the godparent, in a behind-the-scenes featurette after the jump.

Read More...

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Ghosts Reportedly Haunting Adele's Fairy Tale Mansion

Posted 3/7/12 3:00 pm EST by in Adele


By Zachary Swickey

BOO!

We recently told you about Adele’s new jaw-dropping digs – a 10 bedroom mansion in West Sussex, England – but all is not well with the singer, who now believes the home is haunted!

The British chart-topper had been living it up in her multi-million dollar mansion that rents at the pricey tag of $24,000 a month, but now she fears staying there alone due to possible paranormal activity – reportedly telling her friend that the house “gives me the creeps” after hearing one too many peculiar sounds in the night.

The security industry is getting a boost from Adele being so spooked – she’s moved her female bodyguard into the house for 24/7, monitoring at the low annual rate of £100,000. Additionally, she’s hired two new security guards to add to her task force and protect the 25-acre property. The creepy estate used to a be convent and even has a private chapel on the grounds – adding to the possible haunt factor.

“Adele was so excited to be renting such a lavish property, but it has not turned out as happily as it should have,” a source told The Sun. “She is convinced it is haunted. She knows about its religious history – and it’s a big place to be in on your own in the dead of night.” Read More...

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Miguel Talks Karaoke Songs And Art On First Date With MTV Newser

Posted 3/7/12 1:29 pm EST by in First Date


By Rya Backer

There was definitely a moment during my First Date with Miguel when I felt like the cameras weren't there.

No, no, not in the "sparks were flying and everything around us was a blur" way, but rather it was the comfort and engagement in our conversation that made me feel like we really were just a pair heading out for some Japanese BBQ in the middle of the workweek. You know, as one often does.

Miguel, who hails from San Pedro, Calif. (which also claims his musical polar opposite, Mike Watt, as one of its citizens), first gained traction when he dropped the single, "All I Want is You," featuring J. Cole. Smooth, sexy and downright infectious, it solidified his talents as a crooner and he was recently featured on Wale's smash, "Lotus Flower Bomb."

But of course, we didn't discuss any of that.

Instead, the duration of our time at Gyu-Kaku was spent discussing music that's not his – more specifically, our favorite karaoke songs (his is "We Will Rock You"). We also talked about his opinion on eating on an actual first date (he endorses it) and his obsession with art. Miguel longs for a career comparable to that of Jean-Michel Basquiat because of his honesty, and his favorite hobby outside of music is photography (he idolizes the work of David LaChapelle).

The last of which may very well have inspired the title of his latest EP, Art Dealer Chic, Vol. 1, but like I said, we were too busy having fun grilling to talk shop.

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