Monday, July 27, 2009

Kelly Clarkson Needs Some PR Help



The Internet was all abuzz this weekend of the latest spat between Kelly Clarkson and her record label (RCA) over her new single "Already Gone." In this article with the CBC, Clarkson says that she wrote "Already Gone" with One Republic frontman Ryan Tedder last year and then he subsequently gave the same backing track to Beyonce for her song "Halo." In her own words:

"Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else... We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called "Halo." Her album came out when my album was already being printed. No-one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?"

Kelly goes on to say that she "fought and fought" the record company not to release "Already Gone," but, "“In the end, they’re releasing it without my consent. It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but.… You know, you learn.”

As a fan, I appreciate Clarkson's candor, and hopefully this means that Ryan Tedder and his same-same ballads go away from the airwaves for a while. However, this spat should have never been made public, and someone in Clarkson's camp needs to tell her that. While any publicity is usually good publicity, it's a lot better when it's positive. "Already Gone" is a great song, with a haunting chorus, and the quality of the music should be allowed to speak for itself. Plus, the Top 40 audience likely wouldn't even be able to tell the difference between the two diva's ballads. Instead Clarkson is stuck with another public battle with her record label and no one wins.

Kelly, is you're listening, please hire new PR council stat. Keep your interaction with the media positive and happy, and fight the corporate big wigs behind closed doors. I'm sure more than a few of your fans would be willing to help out, and some might even be qualified (pick me, pick me!)

The Kelly/Beyonce mash up:


The "Already Gone" video (which apparently RCA nixed the concept for as well):

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Hatch's Folly


I am sure Senator Orrin Hatch's (R-UT) recent admission that he will vote against President's Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, comes as no surprise to anyone. More than a few people are probably thinking, "Oh, he's just the crazy conservative from Utah." Unfortunately, that is probably true.

Hatch's statement on why he will be voting against the first Hispanic nominee to the court is a bunch of empty words. Hatch has voted for every Supreme Court nominee in his more than 30 years of service. Over the course of three decades, this is the one nominee that he can't vote for? Really Senator Hatch? I don't buy it. Plus, when he says that he will not be voting for her, the only really reason he gives is that her "judicial philosophy" doesn't jive with his. However, there are no examples, no specific answers that she gave in hearings that set him off, nothing. As a constituent, I want more from my Senator.

I may be wrong, but I highly doubt that Senator Hatch's lack of support for Sotomayor has anything to do with her qualifications. His statement came days after he dropped out of bipartisan health talks. Health care is one of the greatest problems facing our nation, and because Hatch wasn't getting his way, he dropped out. Awesome. Hatch's recent behavior is an obvious signal the he's catering to the right wing of the Republican Party, more specifically the right wing of the Utah Republican Party.

Hatch's counterpart, Robert Bennett (R-UT) is currently facing a stiff interparty race from serveral challengers for his 2010 re-election bid because he is too moderate. In 2008, congressman Chris Cannon was booted by Utah Republicans for not being conservative enough (this was the guy that accused William Ayers of ghost writing Barack Obama's autobiography. He wasn't crazy conservative enough?). Are we seeing a theme here?

Hatch's recent (and extremely disappointing) behavior is simply a signal to Utah's hardcore Repbulicans that he's still a strong right winger. He's saying, "Hey, don't boot me! Even though I've been here for far too long, and don't care about representing the real interests of my constituents, re-elect me!" However, I think Hatch's constituents will have the last laugh. Maybe I'm naive, but Democrats and (moderate Republicans) are making a comeback in Utah. Gov. Jon Huntsman, the "maverick" Republican who supported civil unions for gay couples and actually believes in global warming, was wildly popular with Utahns (until President Obama exiled him to China). Democrats now rule Salt Lake County and Democrat Jim Matheson is the state's most liked congressman.

So while Hatch may think that proving his conservative credentials will keep him in office for a few more decades, I'm calling his bluff. Come 2012, Orrin better watch out because the Democrats are coming (and probably a fair share of Republicans too).

You Are What You Eat

Children are growing up in the era of the supermarket, where they believe that milk comes from a jug and lettuce originates in the produce section of Wal-Mart. Americans just don't know where their food comes from. In Food Inc., director Robert Kenner takes a critical look at how corporate America has changed the farm.

With the help of of "food experts" Eric Scholosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivores Dillemma) Kenner creates a documentary that is clear, concise, and important. The film is split into chapters, each highlighting the corporate corruption of agriculture. As Kenner tells it, the industry's transformation began the late 40's when farms began catering to fast food by operating like factories instead of the historical American farm.

As Kenner's film progresses, each vingette shows a different side of America's food. First, it's a trip to poultry facilities where farmers raise chickens in complete darkness and pump them so full of chemicals that their bones and organs can't keep up with their body's growth (Kenner can't even show the worst facilities, because corporate America won't allow it). Then the story of Barbara Kowalcyk, a mother-turned-activist whose son died of E. coli, proves how ridiculously slow the American political process can be. Lastly, Kenner shows how "veggie libel" laws are destroying the typical farmers because large corporations like Monsanto are suing them with lawsuits that only Oprah can afford to defeat.

Those stories only scratch the surface of the the film's heartwrenching facts, and it's quite ironic that the only corporation that Kenner praises is "media devil" Wal-Mart. However, very little in Food Inc. will be new for anyone who has read Scholosser or Pollan's books. Nonetheless, the documentary, like any good documentary, will leave you questioning business, government, and (most importantly) your own behavior.

Grade: A
-

Thursday, July 23, 2009

The Radio Star


Jordin Sparks isn't the most talented winner to be crowned the American Idol. Her voice doesn't have originality of Fantasia, the range of Carrie Underwood, or the musical stylings of Kris Allen. However, Sparks does have the uncanny abilty to churn out radio hit after radio hit. Her self-titled debut album succeeded solely on the basis of "Tattoo," the Grammy nominated "No Air," and "One Step at a Time." Now, two years after winning America's most popular talent competition, Sparks is back with a new album, Battlefield - and it's better than her first.

Battlefield goes for broke on and strives for pop perfection. Sparks influences are obvious: "Walking in Snow's" guitar riffs are reminiscent of the best tracks off Kelly Clarkson's Breakway, "The Cure" could've been a Leona Lewis ballad, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is a (heartbreaking) Fefe Dobson cover, and "S.O.S" samples Shannon's 1983 hit "Let the Music Play." However, the similarities are irrelevant because the material sounds undeniably current.

While a few tracks are over produced and the album's last half is overly sappy, Battlefield is loaded with radio hits. The title track's repetitive chorus is already playing on stations across the country and there are no less than nine songs that could be airwave successes.

At only 19, Sparks has a huge leg up on her fellow teen and twenty-something pop star competition -- she's proven the ability to make contemporary album that doesn't feel like a Disney soundtrack. Ms. Cyrus, consider this your warning.

Grade: B+

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Up, Up and Away

In an attempt to catch up, here are a few quick simple reviews (I am lucky that I've been a movie slacker lately):

I Love You, Man: Can Paul Rudd please be a movie star now? I Love You, Man was the funniest movie of the spring. It will definitely keep you "slappin' 'da bass mon." Grade: B+

Star Trek: J.J. Abrams is this film. From the music to the cast, Star Trek reeks of the Lost creator, which is exactly what this tired franchise needed. Abrams' film is definitely the most accessible and enjoyable of any Star Trek film. We all knew Zachary Quinto was bound to be great as Spock anyway. Grade: A-

Wolverine: Been there done that. The X-Men films were on life support when X-3 hit the credits, and Wolverine was dead on arrival. The studio even skimped on the budget and Hugh Jackman's claws look as if they were created with '99 CGI. Bonus points for including Gambit in the storyline, however. Grade: B-

The Proposal: Sandra Bullock officially made 2009 the year of the cougar. As Margaret Tate, Bullock transforms from the goofy, girl next door into a prickly ice queen and gives her most charming performance since Miss Congeniality. The Proposal may be a predictable rom-com, but Bullock's chemistry with co-star Ryan Reynolds makes this a welcome surprise. And honestly, at the end of the day, you can never lose with Betty White as comic relief. Grade: B+

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: In a recent interview on CBS' Early Show Megan Fox called Transformers a "movie for geniuses." It must be, because this movie made no logical sense. However, when it comes to blowing things up -- it doesn't get much better than this. Grade: C-

Up: It's no secret that Pixar knows how to make great films, but Up may be the studio's best. It's action, adventure, comedy, drama, and even a little romance, and the film does every genre complete justice. The visuals are impeccable, the story is rock solid, the music is moving, and voice actors are spot on. It's nearly impossible to find a flaw with this flick, but pinpointing its strength is simple. Up has more heart than any animated film this year -- maybe ever. It'll tug at your heart strings, give you a belly ache, but most importantly, it'll make you leave the theater with a smile. Grade: A+