Related Articles: And They Called It 'Puppy Love' ...
-
He Never Made Me Moonwalk
6/26/2009 12:00:00 AMI grew up in the '80s, the heyday of Michael Jackson pop. But I never really dug him. I can get into some of the music—the old Jackson 5 singles, the Quincy Jones–produced solo records—but even that requires ignoring the Jacko mythology before I can enjoy it for its own sake. He was impossible to escape, even in the tweedy environs of my parents' graduate-school crowd. I remember that the neighbors' children whose parents refused to buy a television somehow still knew the lyrics to "Bad" as they skipped across the community playground. That impressed me, even if I didn't particularly feel like singing along.
-
SOCIETY
Domestic Abuse Myths
3/9/2009 12:00:00 AMLast week, R&B singer Chris Brown was formally charged with two felonies, assault and making criminal threats, in connection with the alleged beating of his pop-star girlfriend Rihanna on Feb. 8. Though we will never know exactly what happened that night, many of us have seen Rihanna's bruised and bloodied face on the front pages and read horrific details of the alleged attack from the affidavit of a LAPD detective in which he describes contusions on the singer's body. At same time, rumors are that the 21-year-old singer is back in a relationship with Brown, whom she has accused, according to the affidavit, of biting, choking and punching her until her mouth filled with blood.
-
MUSIC
All the Pretty Verses, Indie Style
3/5/2009 12:00:00 AMYou may think this month's most powerful new album from a singer-songwriter belongs to Kelly Clarkson. Not quite. Though the talented "American Idol" alumna has just given us "All I Ever Wanted," her new songs fall short of the mark set by "Middle Cyclone," from Neko Case. "Cyclone" is a platform for Case's voice, an instantly recognizable instrument that could win "Idol" in a walk, if its owner wouldn't detest the very idea. Though her music does crack with an addictive, sugar-buzz quality that matches the highs derived from bubblegum, it is decidedly not pop. Case is an indie artist—the kind who writes songs titled "I'm an Animal" or uses a tornado as a narrator. And yet her style is instantly appealing, blending Patsy Cline's rich country tone with the gale-force intensity of the original blues shouters, plus a jazz chord or three. If that sounds suspiciously ornate for indie music—well, you haven't been listening to the new notes from the underground.
-
NEWSMAKERS
Pregnancy Test
11/29/2008 12:00:00 AMWhen Mariah Carey refuses champagne, is it because: "I only drink after 3 p.m." or "champagne's just fattening" or because Ellen DeGeneres is trying to trick her into admitting she's pregnant. "This is peer pressure!" Mariah said, still not drinking. Here's to privacy, Mimi! (And good luck with the kid.)
-
NEWSMAKERS
Tots And the City
11/22/2008 12:00:00 AMThere might be hazards to raising your kids in New York City, but how about naming them after an outer borough? Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz just welcomed a baby boy—Bronx. At least he got a tough-sounding borough. David Beckham's eldest got saddled with Brooklyn, land of lattes and hipsters. Could have been worse: they could have called him Queens.
No related partner content.
No related web content.
No related blog content.
No related audio content.
No related video content.
