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August 28, 2009

Sounds of Summer: Hello to Goodbye

It's the last week of August and Labor Day is around the bend. It's time to put away your whites, your nautical stripes, your teeny weeny polka dot bikini, and take out your scarves, your houndstooth prints, and your newly opened school supplies. The days of Fall are drawing nigh, but that's no excuse to send the Summer off without a proper farewell. Hopefully my playlist can get you out of the end-of-summer blues and into the anticipation of September swing.


Exactly how it feels, huh?

 


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  1. The Last Day of Summer - The Cure
    Who better to write a perfect lament over the end of this glorious season and wallow in your dismay with?
  2. August is Over - We the Kings
    It's a bittersweet song. It's got that happy make-you-dance pop/punk feel, but you can't deny that you'll miss the summer and all the trouble you got into. More importantly, who you got in trouble with. *mischief*
  3. Summer Skin - Death Cab for Cutie
    Miss that summer fling? Feel your heart wrenching when you think of them? Was he/she the one that got away? Ben Gibbard & Co. help you remember them in a good light and feel your heartbreak for you. 
  4. Ocean Avenue - Yellowcard
    Don't you wish that summer never had to end? Yellowcard and their tubthumping electric violin take that same summer love longing and make a song that I KNOW you want to belt along with when you're all by yourself. Go ahead, you're on the computer by yourself. No one's watching. "Let your waves crash down on me and take me awayy-yay!!!
  5. Indian Summer - Beat Happening
    The Seattle twee-pop pioneers utilize their simplistic drum beat and cutesy twingy guitar riffs to remind us that the best part about summer is that it always returns. 
  6. All Summer Long - The Beach Boys
    Who defines summer sound better than The Beach Boys? Let their dreamy vocals sway you into a more optimistic mood about the impending end.
  7. The Boys of Summer - The Eagles
    We all know The Ataris version, it was suggested to me so many times! But have you guys heard this version by The Eagles? I almost prefer their chill nostalgic feel. Can't you just imagine sitting in your beach lounger in the backyard salvaging and savoring those last rays of sunlight? 
  8. Summer Hair = Forever Young - The Academy Is...
    "I'll never let you go/Won't ever forget/Tell me you'll remember/Forever young" The Beckett sums up the coveted infinite feeling unique to summer as a last salute to the season. He's right, you know. Suddenly, we're all running out of time.
  9. We're Going to Be Friends - The White Stripes
    After some end of summer closure, it's time to get excited for the possibilities of the new school year. Have you met my friend Jack? He can totally help you out with that. 
  10. September - Earth, Wind & Fire
    JUST because the summer's gone, doesn't mean that you can't have fun come September. Welcome Autumn in with a PARTY-YEAH! DANCING IN SEPTEMBER!

Posted on 08/28/2009 9:25 AM Comments (7)

August 19, 2009

Notes On The Upcoming New Weezer Album...

Found on Pitchfork, felt like commenting. So let's do this...


Posted on 08/19/2009 12:38 AM Comments (12)

August 15, 2009

Plaid is the poison, I've gots the remedy!

I've already expressed my incredible frustration with the dreaded plaid print, but what good is complaining without seeking a remedy?

I enlisted the help of online fashion community Polyvore in order to put together sets of viable pattern alternatives bound to be loads more interesting and less annoying to my eyes than stacked duotone squares.

Feeling worldly? Meet the Aztec:

The colors and funky shapes of the Aztec print add a little something fresh and exotic, yet earthy.

Love Tetris? Try something Geometric:

Lines and angles give a nice clean look while offering a playful new way to sport colorful options that many of us love about plaid.
Getting girly? Flirt with Florals:
 Plaid can get a bit manly, take a break with floral print mixed with boyfriend pieces. A perfect balance of cute and comfy.
 
So what do you think? Would you help me accelerate the plaid fad fade out and pick up on one of these? Or do you have some ideas of your own?

Posted on 08/15/2009 2:20 AM Comments (12)

August 12, 2009

UNLEASHED! on Plaid

As I have been shopping around in order to refine my style before I leave for college, I reached this conclusion:

Dear Plaid Print,
GTFO.

Kthxbye,

Rosalie

I was okay with plaid, I own a shirt and a scarf, but as Fall collections have been filing in this year I have been inundated by this fabric print and it has officially worked its way up to annoying. My distaste for it mainly stems from frustration with the fact that since I have decided I don't like it, a good 75% of the selection in all major clothing retailers has been eliminated.

But Rosalie, you're moving to SEATTLE. You do realize that's like, the flannel capital of the WORLD! Actually, Cedar Springs, Michigan is the official Flannel Capital of the World, home of the lumberjack shirt. Even though Kurt Cobain and his band of Merry Men erupted out of the Northwest creating the fashion statement that would become grunge, fade out, and then resurrect during the alt-rock reunion phase of the new millenium, there's a probably good reason (though unknown to me) why it fell out of fashion in the first place.

That being said, I will accept it when utilized as flannel bedding and flannel pajamas, as well as any other type of cold weather wear.

Sorry, just had to get that out of my system.


Posted on 08/12/2009 8:00 PM Comments (70)

August 10, 2009

A Bonus for (500) Days of Summer Fans!

When I'm really convinced that something is great, I fangirl about it like crazy and immediately need to devour as much information as possible remotely related to the object of my fanaticsm. The unconventional boy-meets-girl story of (500) Days of Summer reached its widespread theater release this month to a fanfare of positive reviews. The first feature length on the resume of music video director Marc Webb, general audiences found themselves endeared by the performances of indie film sweethearts Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Zooey Deschanel. I loved every moment from beginning to end and the movie has fallen prey to my fangirl habits. Need more!


Posted on 08/10/2009 6:10 PM Comments (2)

August 4, 2009

Buzznet is better than the 2009 MTV VMAs!

The VMAs are coming! The VMAs are coming! As of today, the MTV Video Music Awards nominees have been announced! Tune-in to MTV, live on Sunday, September 13 at 9PM EST and see who walks away with a moon man this year, in the meanwhile you can go to MTV.com to flex your vote to affect each category! Which is great, but I think Buzznet is better than MTV, so I want to start a little research activity.

 


This toy moon man is almost cooler than the real thing.

Being a part of the Buzznet community in the greater general music fan community feels a lot like being a part of a really really cool secret society where we get to make fun of the greater population on the outside and laugh at our own stupid jokes...okay, so it feels like being in a high school clique.

 


I just wanted to mention high school so that I could put a Mean Girls macro in. ^_^

Many fan bases get a certain bad rap around here, whether it's Twi-hards, JoBro teenies, FBR fangirls, Bill Kaulitz stalkers (yeaaaah, bet you forgot about that guy eh? It's okay though, we traded him for RPattz.) etc. etc. etc. but there are also certain bands/genres/people that are generally liked and loved around here (like the ones that make good music and send good messages). Despite the negativity, above all, we here at Buzznet love opinions. Whether it's defending your band with a bad rap, proclaiming a band the WORST ever, or simply proclaiming a newfound musical love, we dig it.

I think there are a lot of very intelligent people on Buzznet, intelligent people with great opinions. So I want you all to weigh-in on the VMA nominees. In a series of polls that should be done within the next week or so, I want you guys to vote for the videos that you think should win. Not the videos that you think are going to win, but the ones that in your opinion deserve the award. That's right, we're going to do our own mock-vma voting. We'll see who wins for us and compare it to who actually wins.

So keep a weather eye out for each poll as I make them. There are 15 categories and 5 weeks until D-Day. That's at least 3 polls per week, but I may overachieve and surprise you. :D

Will Buzznet's winners align with the masses?


Posted on 08/04/2009 10:26 AM Comments (1)

July 29, 2009

7/19/09 - No Doubt / Paramore / The Sounds

Ladies and gentlemen, I have witnessed the stuff of legends.

Last week, I was in Seattle and my older cousin Leonard and I went to Auburn, WA to see The Sounds, Paramore and No Doubt. It was entertaining from the moment we sat down to the second we drove out of the parking lot. Here's my recollection of what happened that night.

As my cousin and I pulled into the gravel parking lot of the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, WA I didn't have the usual "going to a show" anticipation that I usually get. (You know? The excitement that builds in the pit of your stomach as your realize that the moment you've been waiting for is drawing nigh?) No, there were no pre-show butterflies this time around. I told people I was "stoked" and "excited" partially out of pure habit and partially in an attempt to convince myself that there was a real sense of excitement. I hoped that it would hit me when I got there, but it hadn't.

I suppose I didn't have ample time to build-up suspense, seeing as how I found out I was attending less than a week prior, but still, the importance of what I was about to see was NOT lost on me. After all, I was going to see No Doubt. I said it myself, it was a hot ticket! Plus, in my opinion, they're a defining band that stuck it out through the 90's and were able to adapt their music to the transitioning times as the new millenium rolled around. Almost anyone is familiar with at least one No Doubt song! On top of that, they were being supported by Paramore. How much more of a kick-ass guarantee did I need? I love Paramore! I've seen them twice before and now I was getting to see them again! I had done everything to prep myself for the concert; burned a mixed cd of songs from bands on the lineup, perused Buzznet to see what other people said about the tour, guessed at the setlist, and even thought and imagined how the show was going to look and sound. My brain could not wrap around a reason why I was not excited.

We hopped into the snaking line amongst teenies and diehards alike, fortunate enough to end up in front of a burly group of mid-twenties-to-early-thirties-aged women unable to refrain from constant criticism of unsuspecting passersby. (I was bemused enough to pick up the catch phrase "note to bitches" from them, which was the chorus of each criticism that they disguised as pieces of advice meant for the greater good.) The rest of the show-going population that I observed in line was an incredibly diverse group of people. Parents with ND t-shirts stringing along children wearing Paramore apparel, teenagers with their friends, boyfriends with girlfriends, ladies on a girls night out and even the occasional male-only groups. I stood bewildered at the demographic that this tour appealed to. Even my cousin and I belonged in the *generational gap* category, he's about twice my age but we were both interested in going to this concert.

After some patience, we passed through the amphitheatre grounds turnstiles and went straight for the merch booth, but as we waited in line I could hear the melodic wails belonging to Maja Ivarsson and the dance-savvy electronica flavor that is undeniably The Sounds. I itched to see them on stage, but I stuck around to purchase my merch before the rush and we were able to find our seats just in time for the closing song in the set. Maja was a tour de force, jumping around in the highest heels I've ever seen, keeping in perfect time to the beat, and even bold enough to kneel on the stage in her dress to worship a solo delivered by guitarist Felix Rodriguez. Their live performance seemed incredibly in tune. The kids in the pit, otherwise uninterested or polite, seemed tempted to bounce during the song. In conclusion, I've only officially seen about 4 minutes worth of a performance from The Sounds, but even from the third tier of seats, they managed to leave an impression on me. I hope I get another opportunity to see them sometime.


Photo Credit: Ryan Russell

The pair next to me politely asked me if Paramore was a good band, because they had never heard of them before. I nearly keeled over in surprise. It was an odd concept for me to grasp (not that I didn't understand that everyone was there for No Doubt), Paramore is a pretty hugely popular band in my eyes, just because I'm used to 'everyone' knowing Paramore. Which pretty much put into perspective exactly how big of a deal No Doubt is. It's trippy that Paramore has enough draw for their own headlining tour yet they are supporting a MUCH bigger cause. I wanna hug and congratulate whoever put this lineup together.

It had been just short of one year since I last saw Hayley, Taylor and the Farro Boys, but Paramore is the kind of band whose performance burns in your brain. I sat in quiet anticipation of what I knew was going to be a good show.

After the roadies finished setting up, that familiar hard hititng snare and ripping guitar introduced the crowd to Misery Business, then after the signature "We Are Paramooooore!" the band ripped into For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic. I stood up and trying my best to rock out amidst people who were not so stoked on Paramore, until a lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to sit because the people behind me couldn't see. Total buzzkill. I obliged because it wasn't worth it and I wasn't overly excited anyway. To be perfectly honest, Paramore's stage show was entirely predictable and offered no surprises to me. But then again I'm pretty obsessed with watching them. They're a consistently amazing live show and I wasn't disappointed. Pressure was next, and the ever-classy Hayley Williams stopped mid-chorus to break up some rowdy pit kids. I love it when bands are sweet like that. Other highlights from the set included; a rendition of When It Rains (which served as a delightful energy break in the set and a showcase of Hayley's beautiful voice), the first time I witnessed Ignorance performed live (a terrific live song, really), got a taste of Where The Lines Overlap (a lovely song off the upcoming brand new eyes), the announcement of Taylor's first tour officially in the band's lineup (YAY!), the standard That's What You Get (dedicated to Zac's new snare, apparently), and closing off with Decode (undeniably a good song, in spite of certain cinema associations). All in all, despite the fact that they weren't headliners, they owned the stage and surely gained some fans in the process.

 

And now the moment we've all been waiting for.

I define myself as the run-of-the-mill No Doubt fan. I can sing along to the singles but I've never owned an album and sadly, I couldn't remember the setlist for you, luckily setlist.fm takes care of that for me and for you!

No Doubt Setlist White River Amphitheater, Auburn, WA, No Doubt Summer Tour 2009
 
A huge white sheet was held up in front of the stage while intro music played (I think it was the Battlestar Galactica theme song?) and large silhouettes of each member, one by one, "walked" up to the front and grew larger, coaxing the crowd to make noise. An uproar naturally occured, and when the last silhouette, curvy and female in contrast to the other three, walked up, the uproar unleashed in a wild frenzy. At the pinnacle of the noise, the sheet dropped and there they were. The owners of the silhouettes, along with two others at the keyboard/percussion/brass position posed on stage and wasted no time launching into Spiderwebs. That's when it hit me. I fully understood the scope of what I was watching, and I was completely stoked. The girl was skanking, she was skanking like I've never seen skanking ever before. Just like that, I felt like I was taken back to the 90's when ska and punk reigned on little outdoor stages, or at least back to a time when uniquely rebellious girls refused to date on principle, and fell in love with the charming, yet rugged bad boy, and Cheap Trick covers were performed from the top of school rooftops (see 10 Things I Hate About You).
 
You see, I don't usually get starstruck, but No Doubt-era Gwen Stefani is really a sight to behold. I was captivated by the fact that I was watching her, and more importantly, her abs. I had forgotten about how often Gwen ended up in the "Best Beach Bodies" section and even with the occasional "Get Abs Like Gwen!" headlines in magazines throughout the 90's and early 2000's. As soon as Hella Good started, the entire amphitheater launched into a sing-a-long and during the dance break it was signature Gwen, push-ups and all. Every person in the entire place went crazy, and at the end Ms. Stefani demanded that every single person jump up and down in rhythm. Just like that, we obeyed, and it was kind of empowering to share one thing in common with every single person in the area. Just when I thought it couldn't get cooler, Gwen told everyone in the seats to turn around and look up at the lawn. She then commanded the lawn (which was entirely full, it looked like a pit in itself) to jump up and down like before as we in the seats and down in the pit watched.
 
At the end of the song, Gwen told us it was about their 40th show on tour so they were all warmed up at this point, back in the groove. She thanked the fans for support over the years, and then did something I've never seen done before. She stopped mid sentence to read a sign being held up by a fan. Apparently a couple had named their newborn daughter Gwen, after her. She reached into the crowd and pulled the sign up onto the stage and asked everyone if we wanted to see the new mini-incarnation of her. She showed it to the jumbotron cameras, kissed the picture on the sign, and gave it back to the crowd members. They slowed it down with Underneath It All, in which the crowd was demanded to moan and grunt along.
 
The set went for awhile quite classically, song after song, with a really cool video being played as visual aide. Same type of scene with the crowd jumping up and down singing along word for word, an eyeliner-clad Adrian pounding out on the drums, and Tony and Tom jumping around with each other like entertaining, coordinated spazzes. Bathwater and its bassline were particularly fun for us to dance around to. Again, Rosalie was in disbelief that she was watching these songs on stage. Seriously, none of them looked like they had aged a bit. There was also a sense of comfort, they were in their element. During the Skatalites cover, Gwen changed outfits, and Hey Baby gave me the inexplicable craving to go home and play Rock Band.
 
The next event of note wasn't until Running. This was my favorite part of the set, because it was particularly poignant. The big screen backdrop played old grainy videos (I'm sure some of them never-before-seen) of the band back in the days. Scenes varied from in their pajamas at practice space, sleeping in the van on tour, playing on a little outside stage, excited about a poster with them third billed in an intimate club and selling merch. It was cool to see, especially for a fan around my age (who was probably still sucking from a bottle at the time some of those videos were recorded), and told a great story about where they've been to get where they are. For older fans, it was most definitely a trip down nostalgia avenue. 
 
The lighters came out for Don't Speak, which evoked a powerfully weird emotion from me. I was weirded out that I was seeing and hearing this song live. For me, Don't Speak is one of those songs that will get stuck in my head when no song is stuck in my head. It's also a song I sing often when someone else says something to the effect of "Don't speak" or "Shut up" or "Be quiet". I don't really no why, but after singing that chorus so often in my life, it was really freaking cool to be belting it out with Gwen.
 
During Just A Girl, which I originally thought was going to be accompanied by fan videos, there was no visual aide. Just the band and the song, which worked out better, I think. The middle of the song, Gwen required a "repeat after me" where she asked the guys to sing the chorus after her. It was weak, obviously, since there aren't that many guys who would proudly sing out that they were "just a girl in the world" :P It was comical, nonetheless. Example A of the band's sense of humor. Then it was the girls turn, and suddenly I got a taste of what it must have felt like to be a riotGrrl and I was standing next to women that probably participated in the movement when they were around my age. Wicked cool.
 
The band left the stage after that, and so did a ton of seated fans looking to beat traffic out of the parking lot. Most of us knew better than that, we stayed and cheered and waited for the encore. Gwen in a new outfit, she greeted us again and read another sign out of the audience. This one read "Gwen Sign My Tattoo!" Conversation occured, but we could only hear Gwen's side as she spoke into the mic.
 
Gwen: So, I sign it and then what? It becomes permanent?
Gwen: *smile* You're going to get my signature tatooed on your arm?
Gwen: ...Alright come up here.

The lucky woman got pulled up as the rest of us were in awe, then she and Gwen danced on stage as the rest of the band played a bit of interlude music. The jumbotron cams recorded the event for all of us to see. The woman (probably in her 30s) then bowed at Gwen, thanked her and went back down into the crowd semi-hysterical as the crowd applauded crazily. It was awesome.

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Then Rock Steady, Stand and Deliver, and the MUCH anticipated Sunday Morning (not by me, but I heard same hardcores talking about how they'd claw someone's eyes out if Sunday Morning wasn't played), closed off the set.

I am thoroughly excited to hear what inspiration this tour offered, as the band is in the process of trying to create new music. At the end of it all, I only have one thing to say.
 
Welcome Back, No Doubt. We've missed you.

Posted on 07/29/2009 10:46 AM Comments (12)

July 27, 2009

Summer Sounds: Hip Hop, Ya Don't Stop!

Summer is also known as a season of discovery. With all the extra free time you have you can try new things you couldn't during the school year, and sometimes return to old things you lost track of. In the midst of my busy busy end of senior year, I forgot how much I love Hip Hop and R&B. I also thought about how there isn't really enough of it around here!


So he's not going to save hip hop from dying, but he's darn cute!

So hopefully if you like/liked Hip Hop I'll persuade you to come back around to it, and if you don't like it, I can expose you to some stuff I think is quality! I present, Summer Hip Hop playlist! Enjoy! :)  


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  1. Summertime - Will Smith ft. DJ Jazzy Jeff
    A summer standard c/o Will Smith back in the Fresh Prince days. Go nostalgia!
  2. Best I Ever Had - Drake
    My personal recommendation, Drake (Aubrey Graham) is a former Degrassi:TNG star turned serious rapper. He's climbing the musical ladder making friends and a name for himself, not to mention sick beats. The music video for this song was directed by Kanye West.
  3. I Got A Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
    Because every summer night feels like it's going to be a good night.
  4. PYT (Pretty Young Thing) - Michael Jackson
    Technically he's the prince of pop, but try to meet a hip hop artist who doesn't cite him as an inspiration. This song always makes me want to party. Perfect for getting in the mood to go out with friends this summer.
  5. Beautiful - Eminem
    Eminem returns with a rather poignant song. Go ahead, give it a listen.
  6. Love in this Club - Usher ft. Young Jeezy
    Okay so this song is about a year old, but just in case you end up hooking up with someone this summer, keep this track in mind. ;)
  7. Knock You Down - Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West and Ne-Yo
    Okay so your summer hook-up didn't exactly work out. Pick yourself back up when love knocks you down! But in all seriousness, I've really been digging this song lately. I'm in love with the storytelling aspect of this musical love triangle, and come on, it's Ne-Yo. I love his voice!
  8. Connect For - Common Market
    This Pacific Northwest-based hip hop group is refreshing, and I'm not just talking about their perfect-for-summer laid back beats. These guys spit lyrics that have actual substance to them. There isn't a "bitches and hos" in earshot.
  9. Revolver - Madonna ft. Lil Wayne
    Lil Weezy and Madge merge, creating a pretty sweet track that makes you want to move. (Suggested to me by xCollapsingCities)
  10. You're a Jerk - New Boyz
    Impress all your friends with this summer's latest dance craze :P
  11. I'm on a Boat - The Lonely Island ft. T-Pain
    I simply couldn't resist. What better way to spend your summer than on a boat with a friend and T-Pain?

Posted on 07/27/2009 3:39 AM Comments (3)

July 15, 2009

Summer Sounds: Hot Tickets

There's no question that there are some sweet concerts going on this summer; the return of No Doubt and Blink-182 topping the ohmigod-must-get-tickets list; All Time Low, Paramore and Cobra Starship promoting their anticipated new releases; and of course the undeniable summer icon that is Warped Tour. Whether you're going to all of these, none of these, or something in between, here's the second playlist in my Summer Sounds series to psych you up for all the great music you know (or may not know) is in store for you.

 


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  1. Just A Girl - No Doubt
    Standard. In preparation for their reunion tour, the band asked for fan videos to play during this song. Nothing better than a band looking to get their fans involved.
  2. Ignorance - Paramore
    Immediately after they get off supporting No Doubt, they jet off to tour in promotion of their September release. Paramore just released this single in hopes their loyal fans will want to see them with Brand New Eyes.
  3. Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
    The 80's standards are top-billed for Lollapalooza this year.
  4. Death to Los Campesinos! - Los Campesinos!
    Los Campesinos! is my pick on the Lollapalooza lineup that I want you to know about :)
  5. Good Girls Go Bad ft. Leighton Meester - Cobra Starship
    No explanation necessary. It's Gabe.
  6. Dream On - Aerosmith
    On tour with ZZ Top.
  7. Paranoid - The Jonas Brothers
    Whether you like them or not, they're a hot ticket. This new single is catchy. I'm a JB fan and I think their fourth album should make a nice bridge into a more serious music career.
  8. Weightless - All Time Low
    We loved the new music video, now love them on tour.
  9. Rock Show - Blink-182
    I'd like to be a girl at that Blink reunion rock show this summer.
  10. What a Catch, Donnie - Fall Out Boy
    Bree had fun at the What a Catch video shoot, now see them this summer having fun supporting Blink.
  11. If Only They Knew - A Rocket to the Moon
    Nick Santino and his band of merry men have been creating lots of buzz on Warped Tour, expect this rocket to really take off after summer's over.

You can check out LiveNation.com for more hot tickets but first, tell me: Who are you excited to hear this summer?


Posted on 07/15/2009 5:23 PM Comments (22)

July 14, 2009

Buzzlovin' A Very Potter Musical!

Seeing as how Ashly is using the US release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!!) as a great reason to spearhead a Buzzlove week campaign, I wanted to introduce all of Buzznet to something I've fallen in love with this very week. It mixes the two things I love dearly, Harry Potter and musical theater.


Meet the cast of A Very Potter Musical. You can probably tell who's who.

If you haven't heard of it already, I want everyone to know about A Very Potter Musical. This was a fan parody musical put on by students recently at The University of Michigan basically for shigs. Despite the fact that it sounds completely ridiculous and you would expect a Harry Potter musical to be a total failboat, the musical, just like Harry Potter, defeats the odds and overwhelmingly overcomes expectations.

Co-written and directed by Nick and Matt Lang, with music by AJ Holmes (the production's pianist) and Darren Criss (who plays a guitar wielding Harry Potter), the music, lyrics, comedy and plotline stay relatively true to the books and do a great job of summing up the best parts of the 7-book series in about two hours. Potter-heads won't be disappointed, everyone you love (and hate) gets poked fun at in a way only we would understand. However, even if you've been living under a rock and never seen Harry Potter before, you'd be able to follow the plot and laugh at the pop culture references, college humor, and physical comedy that sprinkles the entire show. Plus, if you understand theater on another level (as a participant) you'll be able to appreciate how fundamentally sound and well done the production is put on, trust me, they use pretty much every trick in the theater book (and a couple magic tricks I hadn't seen prior). The cast is stacked with talented voices and actors, all lovable in their own way. No one outshines anyone else, and that creates a strong ensemble cast that is worth watching the entire time.

My favorite song in the entire show is in Act 1, Part 11. So make sure you hold out until at least then and tell me what you think. :)

Now I'll stop talking and just let the opening number speak for itself. It won me over immediately.

Rosalie, out.


Posted on 07/14/2009 10:32 AM Comments (12)

July 7, 2009

Cobra Starship Announces New Tour Dates!

Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to break out the industrial strength cleaning supplies! Cobra Starship is heading out on tour next month, and they're promising a Hot Mess Across the US.


To promote their new album Hot Mess featuring the new single Good Girls Go Bad, Cobra's going cross country on a string of tour dates (with a nice little supporting cast) in that small venue atmosphere that we all know and love. Tickets are on presale right now, get 'em while they're hot!

8.03 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
8.04 Madison, WI @ Stage Door
8.05 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
8.06 Lawrence, KS @ Bottle Neck
8.07 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
8.11 Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
8.12 Tuczon, AZ @ Club Congress
8.14 Austin, TX @ Emo’s
8.15 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
8.16 Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues
8.18 Nashville, TN @ The Rutledge
8.19 Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
8.21 West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectable Street
8.22 Orlando, FL @ The Social
8.23 Charlotte, NC @ The Casbah
8.25 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
8.26 Washington, DC @ Rock And Roll Hotel
8.27 Farmingdale, NY @ Crazy Donkey
8.28 Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
8.31 Providence, RI @ Club Hell

Gabe
Om nom nom. Gabe's quite a hot mess himself, eh?
(Photo Credit: unsceneunheard)

I'm still Cobra-less on my list of bands I've seen live and I hear nothing but good things about them, so I'll be shooting to get to The Troubadour. Will you be making out...ermm...I mean...making it out to any of these dates? Do you even like the new single enough to want to go?


Posted on 07/07/2009 9:55 AM Comments (3)

July 1, 2009

Summer Sounds: Beach Bumming

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, it's summer time and we need to celebrate! I've gathered some shoreside essentials for the ultimate beach lounging experience. So sit back, relax, and pop those earbuds in while you work on your tan. :) Cue the music!


Posted on 07/01/2009 10:48 AM Comments (27)

June 29, 2009

Twilight with Cheeseburgers

I've been sitting in my bed all day watching videos at College Humor. I saw this and immediately had to relay it to all of you.

 

 


Posted on 06/29/2009 2:33 PM Comments (6)

June 4, 2009

Oh my (Joe) Jonas...

This whole entire day I've been singing Single Ladies by Beyonce, why?


I cracked up when the heels showed up on the screen.

After a slew of requests from viral video-infected Jonas fans, middle brother and lead singer Joe Jonas succumbed pressure to do the famed unitard-clad dance made famous by Beyonce. He did it as part of a series of album countdown themed videos in celebration of their upcoming debut Lines, Vines and Trying Times and though he's no stranger to funny celebration dances, no Jonas fan could have ever predicted it to turn out quite like this.

I've been out of the JB loop for awhile now, I used to be a superfan, but this has officially put them back on my radar. This video reminded me of their earlier hilarious videos of them just being themselves. This really isn't the first time they've done album countdown video announcements, it's something they've done since their first album:

 

Watch more My Video videos on AOL Video

And continued to their second album:

Videos that made me love them in the first place.

For me, I (ironically) restored some of my respect to the trio, since this is the first JB video I've enjoyed in a looong time.

So, my internet trolls and JB lovers, let's get ready to rumble, because I created a poll.

You can also listen to JB's newest single (and see their new video) off the new album, on their myspace!

Lines, Vines and Trying Times releases June 16th!


Posted on 06/04/2009 3:24 PM Comments (1)

May 27, 2009

Can Megan Fox "transform" into Lara Croft?

In the midst of all these origin stories and reboots popping up in 2009, *ahem X-Men, Star Trek, and Terminator*, and a QOTD on Hollywood remakes (will they EVER stop?!), I caught wind of a newest addition to the Tomb Raider movie franchise.

In an interview, producer Dan Lin (to whom we owe the latest Terminator Salvation and has a resume of other existing franchises) has confirmed that a Lara Croft origin story is in the works, he also expressed that there is no intention to include Angelina Jolie, the original star of the first two movies. No Angelina since they're looking at a younger Lara. In addition, Lin promises that this movie is more character driven and more "realistic than the first two Lara Croft movies."


Oh no! No Angie?!

So who can we expect to see? The rumor mill has cited Transformers star and buzzing hottie Megan Fox as the forerunner in the casting race, but nothing has been confirmed from either party and Megan's spokespeople have denied it.


I can see it...

Would you cast Megan Fox? If not, who's your ideal younger Angelina/Lara?


Posted on 05/27/2009 4:53 PM Comments (5)

May 14, 2009

A Late Night Confession...

While most of Buzznet is caught up in Blink Bonanza and Octodrive Madness, my late-night-Buzznet-lurking-while-I'm-supposed-to-be-on-hiatus was oddly interrupted by this story on the music news page that caught my eye:

Ask Mitchel Musso Questions & He Will Answer

Buzznet will be hanging out with Mitchel Musso on Thursday 5/14. Leave a comment on this journal with a question or questions you want Mitchel Musso to answer. Be sure you ask him some questions about his new album!

Deadline to leave your question for Mitchel is Wednesday 5/13 at midnight PST. Leave your question...

 

Sadly, I missed the deadline for questions. Instead, I had the sudden need to make a late night confession via blog.

 

Two years ago, I had an inexplicable HUGE thing for Mitchel Musso.


(I met him at The Alley in Fullerton, CA August 2007)

Weird celebrity obsession status. Probably because I had nothing better to do in the summer. Ha. It was to the point that even though I'm kinda over it now, every so often if I see an old episode of Hannah Montana I get this weird relapse post-obsession feeling. Which is a bizarre way to describe a bizarre sensation, and I'm pretty sure many of you now think I'm a freak.

But I'm okay with that.

Anyways, the whole "claim to fame" of this obsession was this bet I made with my cousin. We said that if I ever got a date with Mitchel Musso (there was no time limit on the bet either, so it could have been while we were both old people in nursing homes and it would have counted, lol), she would fry her sock, stuff it with french fries and eat it. That's right, she would eat her sock.

I entered all the Popstar/Tiger Beat/J-14 sweepstakes/contest thingies to no avail and the whole thing kinda fizzled out over the years. I totally kinda forgot about this bet, until now. When I randomly decided to blog it.

Well, since his new album is coming out June 2nd

And the album cover is looking pretty tasty:

And now that we're both Buzznet community members.

I'm thinking it's time to start up my little quest for that date again. My Date with Drew style. Hahaha.

Or at least put him back on my radar.

I wonder if Buzznet will help me with this one...hahahaha.

Oh dear it's definitely late and I'm going crazy.

Random late night musings ftw.


Posted on 05/14/2009 12:31 AM Comments (4)

April 28, 2009

Going to San Francisco! (and other important Rosalie-related news)

Hey all. I'm leaving for San Francisco Thursday-Sunday for a choir (Heritage Festival of Gold) trip, but I'm also ridiculously busy until my graduation on June 12!

Between school, the musical, band managing, choir, prom, graduation, etc. There's something going on for me life-wise every weekend until then.

I haven't been able to be super active in the community as of late, so I'm thinking it's a good time for me to take a nice little hiatus. It wasn't caused by any serious drama, my life off the internet has taken over. Hahaha.

But I'll definitely still be around facebook. twitter, everything else. And I will most definitely still be lurking around BNet when I can, commenting yur pichas, in true LOLCAT fashion.

But I'm sure that as soon as Summer begins I'll be running around like a crazy person just as I have been before.


Posted on 04/28/2009 8:56 PM Comments (3)

April 17, 2009

The bluest skies you've ever seen...

The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle
And the hills the greenest green, in Seattle
Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild
Full of hopes an' full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears
Full of dreams to last the years, in Seattle

- Seattle by Perry Como

This is what I'll be calling home for the next few years. I can't wait!

I should be packing, but I figured I would share with all of you in my excitement. I'm leaving (on a jet plane!) for a weekend in the amazing city of Seattle, WA. My college's open house (Seattle University) is tomorrow and I'm planning on doing some sight seeing on top of that. It's kinda crazy, I've only been there once before but I decided to go to college up there. I have a really awesome gut feeliing about it, though. I was reading travel guides and stuff on what to do during my weekend visit, and while I was having trouble deciding where I wanted to go, I realized that eventually I'd be able to see it all. Since it's where I'm going to live for the next couple years! Hopefully my heart won't leave SoCal though. Who knows? Maybe I'll end up singing along to Why You'd Want to Live Here by Death Cab. Doubt it though, I'm born and raised to love Los Angeles.

Did you know?

The movies Say Anything and 10 Things I Hate About You take place in Seattle.

Seattle is so musically hip, it was the first city in the US to play a Beatles song on the radio. Bands like Death Cab, Nirvana, Danger Radio, to name a few, call it home. They have a rockin' annual end of summer music festival called Bumbershoot which is slang for Umbrella (ella, ella, ey). They also have an awesome music museum called The Experience Music Project.

Seattle's Pike Place Market boasts the first Starbucks ever!

Seattle's total land area? 53,718 acres of which 6,189 acres are parks and open areas. That's 11.52%! The parks in Seattle rock. The Port of Seattle parks in town are hidden gems awaiting discovery.

In Seattle, you get to meet this guy:


The Fremont Troll is an awesome piece of public art that shows exactly how eclectic the neighborhood attitude is.

etc. etc. etc. Pretty much so basically, the city is awesome. I doubt I'll end up taking time out of my stay there to blog, so I'll let you know all about it once I get back! =D


Posted on 04/17/2009 10:46 AM Comments (3)

April 16, 2009

UNLEASHED! on happy endings

Rosalie UNLEASHED!

A no-holds-barred weekly blog where internet niceties are exchanged for fierce opinions.

This Week's Topic: Happy Endings

 

Once upon a dream...And they lived happily ever after!!

So they say, but do they really live happily ever after?

In light of the recent break-up between my brother and his girlfriend, watching a bunch of sappy movies this Spring Break, and thinking about the unpredicatable, open-ended future in store for me, I've been doing a lot of pondering about happy endings. I'm wondering how my own storyline will end, considering I've written so many possibilities in my mind. All of which I am hoping for, none of which I realistically think will happen.

I don't believe that happy endings occur in real life. Mainly because I tend to be a "believe it once I see it" type of person. Maybe I'm just selfish, but until I get my own happy ending, I'm going to be skeptical of them. Maybe I'll change my statement to "I don't believe that happy endings occur for me in real life."

Are happy endings possible? They say that life imitates art, so based on that, if happy endings occur in art, they happen in life. Right?

I disagree. In my opinion, art is life the way the artist wants it to be. Screenwriters, novelists, musicians, they all manipulate their own life stories and characters to incorporate them into their art and create the movie/story/song the way they wish it happened. The audience enjoys it because they want to exchange their own reality for the reality of the movie.

Case in point:

I just recently saw Adventureland and really wished that I could go to a carnival and ride the bumper cars with a cute boy while "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure played in the background. I want to find my musical soulmate and ride around with him in his car looking for a good concert to go to. (In fact, I'll be looking for the Nick to my Norah in Seattle over the next few years ^_^) I want someone outside of my window with a radio playing "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel (trenchcoat optional!). I want to be The Princess that falls in love with The Criminal in Saturday morning detention.

 


Quite frankly, what fan of these movies doesn't?

We all want that movie script ending (All hail Death Cab!), but how many people truly get it? I'm going straight to a quote from the movie script of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Angelina Jolie's character says: Happy endings are just stories that haven't finished yet.

I don't think life ever turns out the way you want it to, we simply adjust and make it work. Maybe humans are working from happy ending to happy ending.

That's why those types of movies are my favorites. My life doesn't work out, so I can live someone else's happy ending for awhile. Not gonna lie, I want to "Blue ska-doo" into them and make those moments happen to me in real life. I want my own Michael Cera, damnit!!



Meh. But since I don't actually think that I'll ever get that, I guess I'll just write a book about how I wish my life turns out and hope it gets adapted into a mediocre indie film with an awesome soundtrack!

Ha! How's that for my happy ending?!

There, I said it.
Rosalie aka XxRCCola


Posted on 04/16/2009 6:37 PM Comments (6)

April 10, 2009

UNLEASHED! on Twitter

Rosalie UNLEASHED!
A no-holds-barred weekly blog where internet niceties are exchanged for fierce opinions.

Yes boys and girls. It's time. Come with me...


Posted on 04/10/2009 3:35 PM Comments (51)
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29 because what goes on inside my head is inevitably better than outside it
28 Bet you can't guess who my favorite princess is.
26 Brunch with Ms. Monroe
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