Lady Gaga Releases Joanne: A Full Review

Lady Gaga wanted her new album to be about the music, and she accomplished just that. When you strip away the costumes and dance-heavy tracks, you’ve got “Million Reasons,” “Angel Down” and “Joanne,” and if you want something more up-tempo, you’ve got “Judas” and Perfect Illusion,” etc. Having said that, the record suffers from a split personality disorder. I’m not sure if Mark Ronson is compatible with Father John Misty, nor am I sure Father John is compatible with Lady Gaga. Ronson produced the entire record, and the singer also worked with Beck, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Florence Welch, Father John Misty, and BloodPop. While it might be nice to combine influences, it’s simply not cohesive. Did I mention the covert Ace of Base influences?

It’s fine to reinvent one’s brand, as long the world is aware of what you’re trying to say. And although I like some of what she says, my brain just can’t switch gears so much in between songs. Had she just written the album alone, or chosen co-songwriters in the same genre, the album would be far less disjointed. I’d also like to note that Mark Ronson’s obsessive use of horns feels odd and random.

Luke Wade Premieres “Three Days” — Listen Now

Singer-songwriter Luke Wade premiered his new single “Three Days,” and it’s got just the right amount of soulful undertone to grab my attention. “Three Days” is the first single off Wade’s upcoming album, Only Ghosts, which is set for release on January 13th! 

The Texas-based musician stepped into the spotlight on Season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice”, finishing in the Top 8 with Team Pharrell. Wade has performed alongside Train, Rusted Root, Blue October, Ingrid Michelson, and more. Of his third record, Wade says, “With this album, I was able to use what I’ve learned to be a little more patient, focus on the quality of the songs, the production, and I feel like my vision has really come together.”

Listen to the track below. 

Eminem Drops “Campaign Speech” – Listen Now

We can always count on Eminem for his personal take on pop-culture in the form of intricate raps that takes hits at just about everyone, and “Campaign Speech” is exactly what fans can expect from the prickly rapper. The lyric, “And that’s what you wanted, a fucking loose cannon who’s blunt with his hand on the button who doesn’t have to answer to no one?,” pretty much represents the track, which has very little backing music leaving room for nothing but words. He also announced a new album, which would be his first since 2013’s Marshall Mathers LP 2. Listen below.

The Ugly Architect at Hotel Cafe: Artist on the Rise

Photo by David Chan

There’s a beauty to La La Land that only its locals know, and it’s that you can walk into just about any concert venue and discover a secret gem yet to be uncovered. Such was the case last night while in route to watch David Wax Museum. I arrived a mere fifteen minutes early and caught the tail end of The Ugly Architect, whose raw authenticity was immediately palpable. It’s not often one gets to see an impressive artist at the beginning of their rise, and this magical moment reminds me of the first time I saw Aaron Embry perform. Check out The Ugly Architect below.

Lady Gaga Talks Her Toned Down New Image

Just who is Lady Gaga these days, and what can we expect from the singer who once donned a meat dress, walked the red carpet inside an egg, channeled Julie Andrews, and randomly toured with Tony Bennett? The singer has amassed a huge following, but it’s not without controversy, and her over-the-top image has always sent tongues wagging. She’s been honest about her bouts of depression and mental illness, and at times I’ve questioned not only her identity, but her ability to sustain the barbs that come along with this business. But does she have an actual brand, or is she an ever-changing artist that will break through any box the public is so eager to provide? It’s hard to say, but one thing is for sure, and it’s that she’s stripped of all accoutremants for her new album.
In an interview with the London Times’ Culture, Lady Gaga finally took us inside her toned down new look, explaining that she would “just prefer to go through this album cycle and talk about [her] music instead of it “becom[ing] about everything else,” which was “what I [once] wanted.” She furthered, “You can’t make music with a bunch of boys who are staring at a lobster on your head.” Is it a good move, or will the public tire of what might otherwise be an identity crisis? Time will tell.

Jack Reacher: New Orleans Fan Screening

New Orleans fans of Jack Reacher were in for a treat, as the film’s stars walked the red carpet for a special fan screening. See some images from the event below.

HARAHAN, LA - OCTOBER 16: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Danika Yarosh, Edward Zwick and Patrick Heusinger attend the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cruise;Cobie Smulders;Danika Yarosh;Edward Zwick;Patrick Heusinger
HARAHAN, LA – OCTOBER 16: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Danika Yarosh, Edward Zwick and Patrick Heusinger attend the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cruise;Cobie Smulders;Danika Yarosh;Edward Zwick;Patrick Heusinger
HARAHAN, LA - OCTOBER 16: Danika Yarosh attends the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Danika Yarosh
HARAHAN, LA – OCTOBER 16: Danika Yarosh attends the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Danika Yarosh
HARAHAN, LA - OCTOBER 16: Actor Tom Cruise signs autographs at the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cruise
HARAHAN, LA – OCTOBER 16: Actor Tom Cruise signs autographs at the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Tom Cruise
HARAHAN, LA - OCTOBER 16: Actress Cobie Smulders attends the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back", on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Cobie Smulders
HARAHAN, LA – OCTOBER 16: Actress Cobie Smulders attends the fan screening of the Paramount Pictures title “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”, on October 16, 2016 at the AMC Elmwood in New Orleans, USA. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures) *** Local Caption *** Cobie Smulders

Tabloid Gossip: Your Week of News

Azealia Banks had a fight with Russell Crowe. E! Online

Lindsay Lohan was spotted kissing another man. Contact Music

Ginger Spice is pregnant. MSNBC

‘Divergent’ star Shailene Woodley got arrested. Yahoo!

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth got hitched in Vegas. Just Jared

Hoda Kotb and her boyfriend are going to live in sin. RTVW

Melania Trump is standing by her man. Jezebel

Billy Bush was officially ousted from The Today Show. Refinery29

Jennifer Lawrence might be secretly dating director Darron Aronofsky. Daily Mail

Joe Jonas lost his virginity to Ashley Greene. Too Fab

Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis had their second child. Wonderwall

Jillian Harris’  post-baby-bod-pic is very real. Wet Paint

Glee’s Dianna Agron married a Mumford & Son. Brides

‘Meet The Regulars’ — New Book Reveals Brooklyn’s Hidden Treasures


The world-famous borough of Brooklyn holds many secrets, and the doorway to that trove of hidden treasures was seemingly impenetrable for anyone but its inhabitants . . . until now. ‘Meet the Regulars‘ takes readers inside Brooklyn through the eyes of its insiders, with colorful anecdotes that deliver snapshots into the lives of others. We are all silent voyeurs that have secretly eavesdropped on coffee-shop conversations for fresh insight without the mandatory introductions. Thanks to author Joshua D. Fischer, we no longer have to prove our value to sit at another’s table, because he has brought us, “the blogger who fixes her hair and heart at her cherished salon; the lady so loyal to her local bar she has its logo tattooed on her arm; and the burgeoning filmmaker who walks twenty blocks for sage advice from a legendary bartender at a bowling alley bar.”

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Celebrities Dumped Via Text Message: He Said/She Said

Katy Perry & Russell Brand

She Said: “He’s a very smart man, and I was in love with him when I married him. Let’s just say I haven’t heard from him since he texted me saying he was divorcing me December 31, 2011.”

He Said: We did work it out, she’s happy, I’m happy. I was really, really in love with her, but it was difficult to see each other, it mostly didn’t work for practical reasons.

Perrie Edwards & Zayn Malik


She Said: “It was horrible, the worst time in my life. A four-year relationship, two-year engagement ended by a simple text message. Just like that. Even though things in my career were going really well, it was incredibly difficult for me.”

He Said: “I have more respect for Perrie than to end anything over text message. I love her a lot, and I always will, and I would never end our relationship over four years like that. She knows that, I know that, and the public should know that as well. I don’t want to explain why or what I did. I just want the public to know I didn’t do that.”

Kevin Federline & Britney Spears


His SOURCE said: “He had no idea it was coming. In fact, he had been looking into a possible divorce. She beat him to the punch.”

She said: ‘I think I married for the wrong reasons. Instead of following my heart and doing something that made me really happy, I just did it for the idea of everything.’

Terri Seymour & Simon Cowell


He said: Terri decided to dump me… [She] sent me a text.”

She said: “You’re with someone for six years and you end it with a text message? I don’t think so! No, it wasn’t ended over the phone and it wasn’t ended by text.

Taylor Swift & Joe Jonas


She said: “It’s all right – I’m cool. You know what, it’s like, when I find that person that is right for me, he’ll be wonderful When I look at that person, I’m not even going to remember the boy who broke up with me over the phone in 27 seconds when I was 18.”

He said: “For those who have expressed concern over the ’27 second’ phone call, I called to discuss feelings with the other person. Those feelings were obviously not well received. I did not end the conversation. Someone else did. Phone calls can only last as long as the person on the other end of the line is willing to talk.”

Carrie Underwood & Chace Crawford


She said: “We broke up over text so… it’s like ‘peace out'”

His SOURCE said: “He flew to visit her, went on tour with her—he did everything he could for this girl. But in the end, Crawford “is the one who said, ‘Enough is enough.’ He was upset, but he also had to make the decision that it wasn’t meant to be anymore.”

Fitz and the Tantrums Live at The Greek: Full Review

Fitz and the Tantrums had a fast ascent in comparison to other indie-pop groups, and after seeing them for the first time at The Greek, it makes complete sense. Founded by Michael Fitzpatrick in 2008, the group includes saxophonist James King, singer Noelle Scaggs, drummer John Wicks, bassist Joseph Karnes and keyboardist Jeremy Ruzumna.

Perhaps my ignorance of this group’s on-stage prowess served as an advantage while watching the show, as my opinion was not perverted by some super-charged fandom. Upon taking the stage, it became immediately clear that they had an impressive catalog of hit tunes with catchy melodies, along with an infectious energy that remained consistent throughout the show. They were also some of the tightest, most polished musicians I’ve seen, which makes sense since many of them began their career as session players. Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick’s vocals felt effortless, matched only by Noelle Scaggs, with an eye-catching glitter jumpsuit and well-timed percussion.

My experience at The Greek reminds me of seeing Coldplay at the University of Miami. I wasn’t a fan going in, but became a fan going out. It’s obviously that Coldplay is a great band, but much like Fitz and the Trantrums, they won me over with their live performance.