[New Video] Florence + The Machine: "Spectrum"

Florence + The Machine have released the video for one of my favourite tracks off of the Ceremonials album, Spectrum.

Keen to mirror the opulence and luscious feel of the track itself, Florence + The Machine enlisted world renowned photographer David LaChapelle to direct the clip.

There are some gorgeous set pieces to be found in the video for Spectrum, for instance the flooded cityscape, and the golden-hued apartment, but it feels like they either ran out of time, or money to really use them to their best advantage. The choreography looked particularly loose. But I suppose that will happen when you're trying to squash in a video shoot while on a world tour.

An introduction to the Americana/Acoustic Scene by Opie Ever [Guest Post]

Recently DD (DivaDevotee) suggested I might want to write a bit about "acoustic" music for this blog. Flattering as that suggestion was, it was also a daunting one.

[New Music ]Lana Del Rey & Bobby Womack, "DayGlo Reflection"

Lana Del Rey continues to infuriate detractors by getting to not only work with some of the coolest people in music-in this case Bobby Womack- but also manages to gain praise from those collaborators too.

Madonna Covers Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". But Why?

Now we all know that Madonna is one shady character, and someone who is fond of cryptically- or not so cryptically in the case of Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson- attacking others when it suits her (most noticeably when she needs publicity). We also know that Lady Gaga's Born This Way sounds a lot like Madonna's classic Express Yourself and that the Queen of pop herself commented on the likeness by saying,

"When I heard ['Born This Way'] on the radio… I said, 'That sounds very familiar'… It felt reductive. "

This being the case, when footage from Madonna's latest tour rehearsal leaked showing her performing a mash-up of Express Yourself and Born This Way, one couldn't help but question her motives for doing it.

Jennifer Holliday Schools American Idol contestent, Jessica Sanchez , in "I am Telling You" Duet

It takes a brave, or stupid person, to go up against powerhouse vocalist Jennifer Holliday. So whoever thought it would be a good idea to pair American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez up against her- well technically it was a "duet", but it sure didn't sound like it- was clearly either deluded about her talent or wanting to sabotage her chances of winning the series.

This performance of And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going could have, in theory, worked for Jessica Sanchez if she had sung it solo, or duetted with a lessor singer. Her voice clearly has the styling and range to sing the power anthem. But in putting her up against Jennifer Holliday- who made the song famous, and who sang it best- it only highlighted Ms Sanchezs' weaknesses.