Watch: ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ trailer!

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

Earlier Thursday morning, the trailer for Pitch Perfect 2 was released, and it is a-ca-awesome! With the original Barden Bellas including Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, and Rebel Wilson, the trailer comes with the expected funniness and charm that we all came to love from the first movie.

PP2 is directed by the talented Elizabeth Banks (Effie from The Hunger Games trilogy), who also returns in the sequel as her a capella emcee character. From the trailer, looks like PP2 will revolve around another a capella competition. Instead of competing for the bragging rights at a national level,  the  acapella team – as well as the Treblemakers (!!!) – will be headed to an international a capella competition, where it looks as if the teams will have to bring their A game in not only their choice of songs, but their costumes and dance moves as well.

Check out the trailer below now! You’ll see not only a preview of the amazing movie that is to come, but you’ll also hear an a capella version of Kendrick’s hit single “Cups” and see Wilson crash into a wall and fall down stairs as only Rebel Wilson would!

Pitch Perfect 2 will debut in theaters May 15, 2015.

 

Watch: Leighton Meester and Dana Williams cover “You & Your Sister”

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

Are these just minor coincidences, or can nearly every former cast member from the CW’s Gossip Girl sing like a heavenly angel?

You’ve got Taylor Momsen in The Pretty Reckless, Penn Badgley and MOTHXR, and here’s Leighton Meester doubling up with soulstress Dana Williams in a synchronized and beautiful cover of Chris Bell’s “You & Your Sister.” Harmony at its best, Meester and Williams bring together their perfectly complementary voices to sing the song in a husky, sway-inducing ballad as if the two were actual sisters.

Between the runs and raspy high notes, the song is perfect for cruising down a country road or dancing hand in hand in a field of grass.

Meester, who dropped her album Heartstrings a few weeks ago, shows that she has a place in the music biz. Check out for yourself below!

 

Watch: Disney’s “Cinderella” Trailer

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

For all you aspiring Disney princesses out there, Disney released the brand new trailer for the  brand new  SECOND major live action Cinderella (for those who don’t know or have forgotten, Brandy did it first).

The trailer – albeit nothing that we haven’t seen before – looks to give the classic fairytale  an updated and fresh spin such as what was done with Maleficent and Snow White and the Huntsman.  Of course, the traditional aspects of the story are still in tact- the evil stepmother (played by Cate Blanchett, who is perfect) and stepsisters, the mice, and her vivacious Fairy Godmother (played by Helena Bonham Carter, who is also perfect).

What’s really important, though, is that Robb Stark is playing Prince Charming. That’s really all you need to know.

The live-action fairy tale is set to hit theaters Mar. 13, 2015

 

Melvins x Vinyl Mag

Posted on by Nikki Smith

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Pinkus recorded the vast majority of that song while he was stoned on LSD. Listen to it with that in mind, and it will all make sense.

The Melvins have been very busy in 2014 making three volumes of This Machine Kills Artists and two full-length albums. All the while, they’ve have gathered a large following over the years with their indefinable style. It is part punk, a little grunge, a handful of metal, but mostly a genre all its own, Melvin. Since the 80’s, the Melvins have joined forces with various artists. For their latest album, Hold It In, Paul Leary and Jeff Pinkus of the Butthole Surfers join the Melvins pot. Vinyl Mag talked with King Buzzo himself, about the collabs, music style, and hairstyle.  

Vinyl Mag: Since the 80’s, how do you think the hard rock/grunge genre has changed? 

Buzz Osborne:  Oh God, Jesus, and Holy Mother of Pearl, I have no idea. Have things changed at all?  I suppose they have, but it’s hard to see it really. I’ve hated everything since I was 15. That hasn’t changed.

VM: How have (the) Melvins’ sound changed – and stayed the same – over the years to adapt to your modern listeners?

BO: I’ve never in my life had any idea what young people want. I’ve hated children since I was a child. I’ve fortunately never concerned myself with what young people like or want. This is a good thing.

VM: Can you tell us about the process of writing and producing Hold It In?

BO: Well, lets see… Pinkus, Paul, and I each wrote a batch of songs over the course of about a year. We then gathered ourselves into studios in Austin and Los Angeles and hammered out the basics. Once we had those basics the way we wanted them, we began doing the overdubs, which took a lot of emailing and name calling. Then came mixing and mastering. The rest was easy!

VM: What is the concept of the album?

BO: There’s no concept.

VM: How has Butthole Surfers’ JD and Paul’s style contributed to your new album, Hold It In? How has the collaboration meshed with the typical Melvins sound?

BO: Both Paul and Pinkus are great players and good songwriters, so it was nice to be able to have them be involved. I let them do whatever they wanted.

VM: You seem to do quite a few collaborations; how does a collab come together, specifically this one with the Butthole Surfers?

BO: Pinkus was in Los Angeles, so Dale and I decided to jam a bit with him. One thing led to another, and a year and a half later, we have a record! We’re not afraid of such things. When you have no fear, it’s difficult to mess things up.

VM: Do you have anyone else you’d love to collaborate with?

BO: Yes indeed, but no one who’s willing to do something of that nature with us.

VM: “You Can Make Me Wait” has a different sound than the rest of the tracks on the album, kind of spacey. Can you explain the experimental addition?

BO: Spacey? I wouldn’t have thought spacey, but okay. It has a bit of a commercial vibe to it, but it’s still pretty weird.

VM: “Barcelonian Horseshoe Pit” also has that experimental sound. What was the process for making this particular track?

BO: Pinkus recorded the vast majority of that song while he was stoned on LSD. Listen to it with that in mind, and it will all make sense.

VM: Obviously, you’re very experienced in the music world.  There are so many people trying to create bands, keep bands afloat, and get to the next level. What is one piece of advice you wish you had known going into your music career?

BO: Be as weird as is possible.

VM: How has the industry changed since you started?

BO: It’s a lot harder to sell records, but other than that, not much has changed. There’s a lot of argument now about how great tape sounds compared to digital. Listen to our first 7 inch. It sounds like shit. Recording it to tape didn’t help one bit.

VM: What is your favorite part of making music?

BO: 50-50 split between recording and playing live.

VM: Do you listen to your own music recreationally?

BO: Not really, it’s not fun for me.

VM: You and Jared Warren seem to share the same taste in hair style – is there some competition going on? What’s your best hair care advice?

BO: Shave your head.

Watch: Deerhoof: “Paradise Girls”

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

Not entirely sure what I’m watching, but I’ve watched it at least five times already.

Tuesday, rock band Deerhoof released the video for their latest single, “Paradise Girls.” The song appears on their full-length album, La Isla Bonita.  While the song seems to have a focus on the instrumentals with hardly any lyrics other than the same chant of “giiiirls” and “you are smart” among other little snippets, the video is extremely intriguing. For one, there are girls prancing around in costumes that look similar to the creature in that movie “Slither,” and there’s a primary woman throughout the whole video who has some incredibly bright eye shadow and lipstick.

She prances and dances around singing the three-four chants – to a dance-provoking beat that reminds one of tUnE-yArDs – while the others looking like Teletubbies rolling down a grass hill.  In a turn of events, the girls give birth to themselves in a sense, breaking their heads out of the cocoon that they were fully wrapped in.

Needless to say, the video will make you stay, the music will make you replay, and the dance moves will drive you…cray.

Check out Deerhoof’s “Paradise Girls” below, and check out their new album, La Isla Bonita via iTunes!

 

The first official ‘Peanuts’ trailer is here!

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

You know it’s the holidays when ABC Family starts talking about their annual ’25 Days of Christmas.’ Yet , what makes a holiday season really special is when something magical happens. Something like the release of the first The Peanuts Movie trailer!

Tuesday, the trailer for Peanuts – based on the beloved comic strip by Charles Schulz- was released and it was everything any child/adult/pet that has seen any of the Charlie Brown holiday TV specials could imagine. The thing that makes this Peanuts such an epic feat is the fact that it will be the first CGI Peanuts film EVER.

CGI (computer-generated imagery) will mean that the characters won’t be in their normal comic-strip illustration, but in 3D! The character’s form doesn’t change the fact that this movie is going to bring back many memories and produce just as more. With the love/hate relationship of Snoopy and Woodstock and the Charlie’s memorable quote, “good grief,”  this movie will bring anything but grief.

The Peanuts Movie is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios and will be released in November 2015, the year marking the 65th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip debut. Check out the trailer below!

 

Anna Kendrick is ADORABLE in the new Kate Spade Holiday Ad

Posted on by DeShonna Johnson

Forget about Pitch Perfect and the “Cups” song. Anna Kendrick takes on a whole new level of spunk in the new Kate Spade holiday ad.

Just in time for Christmas trees, Charlie Brown specials, and egg nog, Kendrick is a fashionista locked outside of her apartment after what we assume was hours of holiday shopping…for herself. Surrounded by massive bags of clothing and with her cute puppy by her side, Kendrick sits on the porch playing on her phone, calling for help, and just being the sweet Anna Kendrick we have all come to love. The Into the Woods star also busts out a little tune in the video, and there is also an unexpected cameo by fashion icon Iris Apfel, who plays Kendrick’s neighbor.

Look at the ad for yourself. I promise you’ll love it!

 

Walk the Moon: “Different Colors”

Posted on by Hannah Smith

While the band itself has been around since 2008, Walk the Moon‘s Dec. 2 release will only be their second studio album. One of their first releases, titled “Anna Sun,” launched the band’s musical career. The single was named Song of the Summer by Esquire, MTV and Seventeen. They achieved monumental success with the song without even being signed to a label. After signing, they released their self-titled debut album in 2012 and are preparing for their second album release next month. With “Shut Up and Dance” soaring up the alternative charts, the band both released a new single and announced the launch of their Spring tour.

“Different Colors” is a beautifully exciting single that only increases listeners’ anticipation of a new album from the indie band. The song is sure to induce some form of dancing from everyone, even if you happen to be from the town in Footloose. In this way, the song follows the same style of their previous single, but incorporates more electronic and techno sounds. The lyrics revert back to the feel of teenage innocence with the lyrics, “’Cause when the people get to dancin’/They forget about taking sides.” The music and lyrics work together to provide a biting sense of nostalgia for those longing to return to their teenage years.

4/5

TV On The Radio: ‘Seeds’

Posted on by Hannah Smith

Indie band TV On The Radio released their fifth album Seeds on Nov. 17.

After undergoing a year-long hiatus in 2009 and even dealing with the death of a band member, TV On The Radio has had their fair share of hard times. Given that they’re a good ways into their musical career that began in 2001, now is the make-or-break phase. It’s difficult for an indie band to break onto the top charts, but their past three albums have charted in the top 50, with the last two peaking at 12. While they are included in the indie genre, the band has noted their influences include everything from classic artists like Earth, Wind & Fire to the Pixies. These influences are apparent through the creation of their own unique style, complete with an array of different instruments used as they see fit. The use of strings, horns, and an organ at times filter through much of their two most recent albums that also charted the highest.

Seeds is a surprise that wasn’t even expected by its creators. The lead vocalist has said the band wasn’t even sure about making an album after the death of their bassist in 2011. Although it was unexpected, the album proves to be a period of awakening for the band as it differs from anything that’s been released before. Long-time fans will appreciate TV On The Radio’s loyalty to the genre and opting for a more clean, tightened album.

While their previous albums have incorporated maybe too much into each song, Seeds is slightly more simplified version while still keeping with the style the band has built up over the years. It’s reluctant to venture far from the much-acclaimed spot they’ve achieved in indie rock. The songs are intentional and full of purpose to get the concept across.

The album begins with a whimsical song called “Quartz,” complete with an array of different sounds ranging from synthesizer to handclaps. While it may not be exactly what the band’s fans are used to, the song definitely incorporates their style. The band’s first single from the album, “Happy Idiot,” is a catchy song that hasn’t quite peaked on the top charts yet. The band placed heavy emphasis on this song to announce their album with Paul Reubens and Karen Gillan taking part in the music video.

While the radio hasn’t yet picked up on the potential of the single, it has received many positive reviews. Other notable songs are the heartbreaking “Careful You” and “Ride.” Each song segues into a new one about love and loss, complete with an effective array of guitar rhythms. They’ve done a rare thing to incorporate so many influences throughout each song while still keeping with their unique style.

TV On The Radio has come a long way since their debut. This first album since the death of a member is a new start. While many bands would be reluctant to continue after such a tragedy, this one refuses to quit. Seeds is a turning point for the band and holds much potential for future albums to come. This album is a proclamation of acceptance and propels the band forward.

3.5/5

Cole Swindell: ‘Down Home Sessions’ EP

Posted on by Hannah Smith

Due to the success of his self-titled debut album, Cole Swindell released a follow-up EP Down Home Sessions on Nov. 17.

Little did Swindell know his role as Luke Bryan’s merch seller would be interrupted by the start of his own musical career. Born in Bronwood, Georgia, Swindell attended Georgia Southern University, where he met and became fraternity brothers with Bryan. The singer proved to be a successful songwriter after writing a large portion of Bryan’s most recent songs, “Outta My Head” by Craig Campbell, and rising star Thomas Rhett’s biggest hit “Get Me Some of That.” In 2013, he released his biggest hit to date, “Chillin’ It” independently and later signed with a label after the single showed some headway up the charts.

His first single simultaneously became his first No. 1 song, certified platinum by RIAA. His debut album, Cole Swindell, rose to No. 3 on the US chart and No. 2 on the US Country chart. He was invited to open on Luke Bryan’s That’s My Kind of Night Tour and promoted his album there, while selling over 200,000 copies. He also claimed the title of New Artist of the Year at the 2013 CMA Awards. Swindell has achieved a monumental amount of success just in the 11 months since his career kicked off.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Swindell said:

“The fans are always wanting new music, and with as much as I love to write I might as well give them the music while I’ve got it. I just don’t want any songs to go unheard.”

Swindell has achieved a high honor in such a short time, headlining his own Down Home Tour this year and heading on tour with superstar Jason Aldean next year. What better way to prepare for a tour than release some new music? The EP will consist of songs that wouldn’t fit on his debut album. With so much success in songwriting, it’s no surprise the singer had an excess of material.

Unfortunately, Swindell’s songwriting abilities come up short on this album. “Ready” kicks off the EP with the typical country song about a beautiful girl and her dance moves. Groundbreaking, right?  If anything, this song is an unoriginal attempt at every top hit in the country genre. It seems the headliners he’s opening for have a heavy influence on his own music.

“The Way You’re Lovin’ Me Now” sounds similar if not exactly the same, echoing the style of Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line. The next song, “Kiss,” is, you guessed it, exactly the same. Over half the EP sounds like the same song, and listeners will be bored after the first minute. If you’re looking for some mediocre country love songs, this is a must-have.

The Down Home Sessions EP contains five songs that sound exactly the same. Swindell makes a feeble attempt at being “one of the guys” sitting atop the charts with the same material continuously heard on country radio. If he would stop trying to imitate the artists he opens for on tour, he would stand a decent chance of releasing some unique music.

2/5