Archive for the ‘Pop Stars’ Category
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 |
Because music is generally more accessible than literature, critics tend to be less forgiving and more finicky with artists who put out an album. They are ready to pounce at every opportune moment, poised to pick on every nitty gritty detail such as contrived lyrics or cheesy chord progressions.
But Kelly Clarkson is the kind that breaks all rules. She perfectly fits the image of a bubblegum pop star while coming off as totally out-of-the-box. She can belt out a ballad in the tradition of Celine Dion but at the same time beat the dickens out of rousing anthems like “Home” and “Hear Me”. In interviews, she’s usually her bubbly self, putting on the aw-shucks face that earned her the distinction of being America’s Sweetheart, but there would be moments when she would transition to someone else, as if in a trance, and say something really insightful about music. For instance, when describing Melissa Etheridge’s voice, she said that it’s the kind of voice that “has really lived.”
Whoever said that Kelly Clarkson is a case study couldn’t have been more precise. Here is someone who stayed strong in the business despite the fickle nature of pop music. How did she manage to weave longevity and a valid career out of her Idol background?
(more…)
Posted in American Idol, Commentary, Pop Stars | No Comments »
Monday, December 1st, 2008 |
She took a hiatus from all the chaos and gossip of Hollywood, but now she’s making a comeback. Or maybe it’s a second comeback? Either way, Britney Spears is back in action and activating the media headlines once again.
We like that Britney took a hiatus to get her life back together. It’s been a good year since we’ve heard her name without some drama attached to it. Good for her! She’s on the cover of Glamour Magazine this month and she actually looks very relaxed and happy.
Britney’s latest album, “Circus”, is due to drop tomorrow, December 2nd and we’re anxiously awaiting what the public has to say about it. Jim Farber says it’s a “3-ring hit”. We’ll see what the die-hard fans have to say…
Last night MTV aired a special called “Britney: For the Record” where she talks about all her breakups, breakdowns, and everything in between. Unfortunately, we missed the show, but you can read more about it over at MTV.com.
Posted in Pop Stars | No Comments »
Thursday, August 14th, 2008 |
“You don’t know who the Jonas Brothers are?” my best friend’s 10-year-old daughter asks me.
Uhhh…no…
Well, that was about a year ago and now, well, I certainly know who the Jonas Brothers are! Every time I turn on the TV, they’re on a TV show, award show, or shown on the news being mobbed by hundreds of teenage girls. I guess you could say they’re The Beatles or The Backstreet Boys of the new era.
Just like every successful music group before them, this trio has put in some serious work. Personally, I can’t imagine doing show after show after show. But then again, they’re young and have much more energy than me 
Their latest invasion was New York City!
Here are Kevin and Nick at a video shoot in Central Park a couple days ago…
Then the day before that they performed in front of fans at the Apple Store in Soho…
And of course, they had to make an appearance at MTV’s “TRL” show…
Sure, the Jonas Brothers may have the girls burnin’ up right now and in five years there will be someone else. Boy bands will always come and go. After all, boys always grow up and the girls grow up to be someone like me who wonders what the big appeal is in the first place
Posted in Pop Stars | No Comments »
