Rihanna's new album 'Rated R' for revenge

 

"These are tricky days for hip-hop queen Rihanna. At the same time she's working the talk-show circus, poignantly revealing the human complexities of domestic abuse, she's pushing a sexed-out album that often plays like a delicious, albeit shocking, revenge fantasy. She calls it Rated R, presumably because NC-17 just didn't have that same snap. Do as she says, boys and girls, not as she sings..." READ THE REVIEW OF 'RATED R,' OUT NOV. 23

Lady Gaga & Beyonce naked -- almost

Beyoncé |MTV Music

Video Phone might be the Dumbest Video Ever. Sure, it's pretty and expensive and soft-core-y. But Beyonce is trying way too hard. And as for Gaga, not even Stephanie Hayes can defend this mishegas. Beyonce should just eat the dwarf and be done with it.

100% Badass: The Carl Weathers Interview

 

"It's all in the hips. It's all in the hips." Behold...Carl Weathers.

Shakira: New album 'She Wolf,' new song with Lil Wayne 'Give It Up to Me'

Shakira
Album: She Wolf (Epic)
In stores: Monday
Her hips don’t lie...too bad they don’t sing, either: Colombia’s 32-year-old Shakira does one thing very, very well — and it’s not holding a tune. Or writing a song. Or buying a shirt that fits. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll has a superheroic ability to move ’n’ groove her hips not seen since Jessica Rabbit caused a three-car pileup in Toontown. On her new album, the boom-chica-boom beats and generic synths seemingly lifted from a 1979 episode of Dance Fever are there simply to inspire her hip bones. As for inspiration for the rest of us? Not so much. Shakira is a sexy performer, and an earnest one, too. But she sings as if she has a bottle of syrup lodged in her throat, and her mystic-hottie lyricism is neither shocking nor original enough to make an impact. The title track aims to be both a feminist growl and a promise for a hot night of lycanthropy. Unfortunately, it sounds like a dated Elvira spoof. Dance-floor burners Did It Again, Why Wait and Give It Up to Me (feat. Lil Wayne) are pretty generic, too, but hey, at least they’ll get people sweating. And maybe that’s all you really crave from a Shakira album anyway?
Reminds us of: The album’s best track is also its oddest: Spy, a duet with old Hips Don't Lie buddy Wyclef, is all about the kinky joys of voyeurism. Its hook is presumably Shakira or someone making a trumpet noise. Weird, but cool.
Download these: Why Wait, Men in This Town and Spy
Grade: C+

The Sweebles Playlist

My grandmother, Gladys Daly, was 98 when she died. This was a few years ago. She was in bed, happily watching her favorite TV show: Desperate Housewives. She left us during a commercial break...but I still blame Teri Hatcher. Anyway, Grandma was a hoot, a true original. When asked what her secret to longevity was — and for her last eight years, someone was always asking — she usually went with “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” But once, sitting at the head of the Thanksgiving table, she whispered a different answer altogether: sweebles. We nodded our heads in understanding. Of course! Sweebles! It all makes sense! 

Based on the German word for onion (zwiebel), Grandma's sweeble recipe is a major staple at a Daly Thanksgiving (never mind that we're all Irish). Before sticking the turkey in the oven, you place Vidalia onions, chopped in half, in the bottom of the pan. Add a cup of water or chicken broth. Salt and pepper those suckers, then cook 'em with the turkey drippings for three to four hours. How do you know when your sweebles are done? When you gently press on one...and the sweet, gooey center rockets out! Huzzah! It’s like a toy and a treat! So if you want to live a long life — or at least have a yummy holiday feast — may I suggest the humble sweeble? And don't forget all those other delicious Turkey Day dishes, too, found here on this festive food playlist:

Turkey Dinner, Green Day
Sweet Potato, Cracker
Know Your Onion!, the Shins
Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens, Anthony Hamilton
Fruit Salad, the Wiggles
It’s All Gravy, Christina Milian
Buttermilk Biscuits, Sir Mix-a-Lot
Cherry Pie, Warrant
Whipped Cream, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass
Whiskey and Wine, 311

Wines That Rock: Could I get you another glass of Dark Side of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon?

Or perhaps some Forty Licks Merlot? I have no idea if winemaker Mark Beaman and the Mendocino Wine Co. get swell juice outta their grapes, but I gotta say, this is a pretty savvy product launch. Can't think of a gift to bring to your 58-year-old boss's holiday party? How about Woodstock Chardonnay ($17 bottle)? It'll have him thinking you're both hip and considerate. Same goes with the Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd-labeled vino. (The Stones' business managers are behind this too; no word on whether Mick and Keith are stomping fruit.) And who cares if it tastes like crap! No one is actually going to open this wine. This is the sorta thing that sits on living-room shelves and delights the lookee-loos. And if someone does manage to open your bottle of Dark Side, it'll be at, like, 3 a.m. when all the other wine is gone and the party's still raging. For more on Wines That Rock, DRINK UP RIGHT HERE.

Questions for Carl Weathers?

In what will almost certainly go down as the greatest interview in the history of interviews, the Stuck in the '80s team of Daly and Spears are chatting with the totally awesome Carl Weathers on Thursday. Aka Apollo Creed (!) and Action Jackson (!!) and Chubbs Peterson (!!!), the 61-year-old Weathers is currently starring with fellow former footballer Michael Strahan on the FOX sitcom Brothers. Weathers has been a dream interview of mine for years. Why? Because he's a &!%$# badass that's why! I mean, come on! He's Carl &!%$# Weathers, man! Are you ready? Are you set? Ding...ding!

WHO HAS QUESTIONS FOR CARL WEATHERS?

'Aunt Bunny is comin' to get me!' Eddie Murphy leads list of best comedy albums

 

I was 13 years old in 1983. And in lieu of having anything remotely interesting to say, I basically just regurged lines from Eddie Murphy's Comedian ("Now that's a fire!") and the five other comedy albums I knew by heart. LOTSA LAFFS RIGHT HERE.

Morningwood, Jet pump new life into Ribfest (all of you dino rock fans need to get a grip)

 

I'm getting some nasty email for this review, but no matter: Morningwood and JET killed at Ribfest, which was desperate for a hip musical makeover. PORKTACULAR, I SAY! 

Chantal Claret snapshot by Times photog Melissa Lyttle

REVIEW: Norah Jones' new album 'The Fall'

 

Norah Jones
Album: The Fall (Blue Note)
In stores: Tuesday
When Norah gets blue: The buzz leading up to Jones’ fourth album was juicy, giddy. The lithe alt-jazz daughter of Ravi Shankar had split with bassist boyfriend Lee Alexander, thus setting up a breakup disc. Guitars and Wurlitzers, rock and rage would replace the 30-year-old’s usual midnight hush and Yankee Candle ruminations. I’ve always liked Jones’ music — when I was awake. So I was ready for the nine-time Grammy winner to rock a little. And the new stuff does — a little. Most of the 13 tracks are definitely louder (especially the retro roadhouse stomp of It’s Gonna Be) and the lyrics jab with newfound fangs (“Your chocolate eyes / Like buttons of lies / You’ve ruined me now”). But no matter the noisier arrangements or the clever diary-entry digs, Jones too often sings as if she’s in an opium haze, a stung woman on her fainting couch. Oh, it’s sexy as heck, don’t get me wrong. But you still wish Jones would snap out of her comfort zone more often and unleash the what-for. I’m not looking for a constant punk holler, but something beyond her smoky mid range would certainly get her ex’s attention — and mine.
Reminds us of: One of my favorite all-time duets is Norah Jones and Ray Charles on the May-December smolder of Here We Go Again. It’s a 3:52 story of relationship too toxic to resist.
Download these: It’s Gonna Be, Waiting and Chasing Pirates
Grade: B

Get your Weezer Snuggie (or 'Wuggie') now!

 

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo is a total whackjob, but man, is he one funny dude. To help promote badass new album Raditude, the power-pop band is selling "Wuggies." Yep, Snuggies -- the blanket with sleeves (one of which, maroon if you must know, is collecting dust in my closet) -- now come with the Weezer logo across the chest. They even made a commercial for them, and word is that the (barely) straight-faced spot has been running on the NHL Network. You can WATCH THE COMMERCIAL HERE. Then you can ORDER YOUR WUGGIE HERE. My favorite part of the ad? The tattooed arm showing off the variety of colors.

Carrie Underpants! Underwood gets leggy on CMAs with grindy 'Cowboy Casanova'

This is about as suggestive as Carrie Underwood gets. She could have used more of that hip swivel on her ho-hum new album.

Questions for David Cook?

 

American Idol champ David Cook is coming to St. Pete's illustrious Mahaffey Theater on Nov. 27. (TICKETS) I'll be there with a swollen post-Thanksgiving belly, trying to make pretty word magic. But before all that, I get to chat with Cook this Thursday. I've already been berated by coworkers hoping to get close to the 26-year-old singer, who is admittedly one cool dude under pressure. If you're also a fan, let's hear it:

QUESTIONS FOR DAVID COOK?
 

'Fearless' picks for tonight's CMA Awards

 

If Taylor Swift doesn't win Entertainer of the Year at tonight's CMAs (ABC, 8 p.m.), I'll streak the Dallas Bull. AVERT YOUR EYES!

The Changing Table Playlist

Dear Busch Gardens,

I recently took my daughters to your theme park. We were having a swell time with your rides and attractions — until I had to take my youngest, apparently the victim of too much popcorn, to the restroom, a men’s room to be exact. Mai-Mai is 21 months old, which means (1) she still wears a diaper but (2) she fills that diaper as if she were a midsized African elephant, an animal with which you’re quite familiar. So imagine my surprise, Busch Gardens, when I discovered that your diaper changing table in said lavatory was not only wobbly (Mai-Mai thought it was another ride -- wee!) but that it was, inexplicably, a solid 15-yard touchdown strike from the nearest trash receptacle.

So as Mai-Mai, in my left hand, tested the not-so-strength of your changing table — boing! boing! — I pondered the ghastly diaper bomb in my right hand. My options were scant: (1) Heave ho the Huggie, a perilous toss to the ridiculously far trash can to be sure or (2) drop the diaper to the ground, which I did. Alas, upon hitting the floor, the elephantine diaper flapped open, revealing the horror to a father and son, who recoiled as if faced with an army of flesh-eating zombies. I then put Mai-Mai down so I could deal with the offending diaper; my youngest daughter instantly woddled to a urinal and started splashing around -- wee!

In closing, Busch Gardens, this playlist is for you:

Changes, David Bowie
Diaper, Meat Puppets
Blow Out, Radiohead
Hot Mess, Ashley Tisdale
That Smell, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Wiggle Wiggle, Bob Dylan
Move It on Over, Hank Williams
Daddy’s Girl, Peter Cetera
Throwing It All Away, Genesis
Baby Elephant Walk, Henry Mancini

Whither Eddie Money? Morningwood, Jet kick off Friday's Ribfest bacchanal in St. Pete

Morningwood |MTV Music

For years, the annual Ribfest pork orgy at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg has been soundtracked by a cavalcade of '70s and '80s acts. Think Eddie Money, Night Ranger, Asia, Pat Benatar. But lookee here, boys and girls: This year's beeftacular will be kicked off by the sexed-up art-pop of Morningwood (up there is the video for new song Sugarbaby) and the cocksure Aussie brigade of neo-Stonesian rockers JET. How cool is that?! Don't worry: George Thorogood and Blue Oyster Cult will be there Saturday. And everybody will get their country fix on Sunday with the Zac Brown Band and my pal Suite Caroline . But I'll be there Friday to cheer on the changes. Here's the full Ribfest schedule.

Crave more Cusack? Here you go, kids...

 

* The Stuck in the '80s tandem of Daly and Spears continues to bicker about the 10 Best John Cusack Movies -- this time, in the newspaper. RAGE FORTH.

* St. Pete Times film critic Steve Persall pens a downright brilliant critique on new Cusack disaster-porn flick 2012. READ THAT.

* And for your lunchtime listening pleasure, cue up our John Cusack podcast. LISTEN HERE. 
 

DALY TV: Talkin' Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Weezer...and sippy cups?

Wow, you are about to witness some really BAD hair. We're talking Andrew "Squiggy" Squiggman action, my friends. Rest assured I rocked SupaCuts this weekend, and no longer have such an atrocious mop. But alas, before the shearing, I taped not one, but two rollicking segments with ABC music savant John Thomas. The bit you're about to see deals with November's new pop music releases. There's also a riotous Christmas seggie lurking out there as well. You want a fun drinking game? Every time I blurt a non sequitur (for instance: "sippy cups"), hoist a beverage. At the very least, it'll make for interesting television. YOU BE THE JUDGE!!!

REVIEW: Carrie Underwood's new album 'Play On' gets a C+...for now

 

Carrie Underwood and I have a complicated relationship.

READ ABOUT OUR TWISTED LOVE.

Pick a new dumb column costume for SD!

If you ever wonder what happens to your keen playlist suggestions and related audience participation, you should know that a lot of it winds up in the Sunday paper. Sure, I take all the credit, thus bamboozling loyal reader Madge in Clearwater into thinking I'm some sort of pop-culture savant. (Madge, it should be noted, also thinks "cats are just like people.") But I do appreciate each and every one of you.

Anyway, Sunday's Pop Life column in the Floridian section of the St. Pete Times is where you guys usually show up. It's art-designed by my genius friend Girl Thursday (aka Holly Ringwald) and copy edited/policed by my brilliant pal Dawn. I hope you guys get a chance to see the real ink-on-paper deal sometime. It's a great-looking page. Alas, the Web version of the column isn't very nice at all. But here you go anyway: the Cracker Barrel Playlist (I like the final version a lot better actually), the most melodic TV 'toons (a little different than the blog one) and the Glee soundtrack. CHECK IT OUT.

By the way, it's getting time to shoot more of these nutty column shots. We're looking for costume ideas, so let 'er rip. You know me: There's not much I WON'T wear, mantyhose included. Whatever you suggest, I'm sure Halloween Queen Stephanie Hayes has in her zany closet at home.

REVIEW: 'Glee' soundtrack is B- at best (oh, and I'll be sleeping on the couch tonight)

 

Album: Glee: The Music: Season One Vol. I (Columbia)
In stores: Now
Chorus lines: I’m not allowed to criticize Glee in my house. If I utter one churlish thing about Fox’s geek-chorus dramedy — for instance, its delicate balance of surreality and reality will be impossible to maintain (plus that phantom pregnancy plot line is lame) — I’m immediately banished somewhere dark, cold and without cable. But hey, this is my column, so just try and stop me. This new soundtrack compiles 17 of the show’s reimagined pop hits. (A second volume will be released in December.) Without the visuals, the music isn’t nearly as fun. And although Lea Michele (who plays overachiever Rachel) can sing for sure, Cory Monteith (Finn) is even more digitally pitch-tuned than you thought. (Can’t Fight This Feeling — yikes.) Too many songs (No Air, for instance) are presented without any Glee-ifying; that’s called karaoke, folks. But when he’s inspired, producer-arranger Adam Anders, who cut his teeth on the High School Musical franchise, blends amateur-hour enthusiasm and drama-club exuberance to delirious effect. The sunbursting vocals on Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ have helped that cover version sell more than 500,000 copies. A downright religious reworking of Queen’s Somebody to Love is even better. And bad-boy Puck’s Sweet Caroline and teacher Will’s Gold Digger have sweet, nerdly appeal.
Reminds us of: After a two-week layoff, Glee is back on Wednesday. I hope my family lets me watch. I’ll be good...for the most part.
Download these: Don’t Stop Believin’, Somebody to Love, Sweet Caroline
Grade: B-

PODCAST! 'Grosse Pointe Blank' is John Cusack's best movie (and 'High Fidelity' sucks)

 

The unfairly handsome Stuck in the '80s podcast team of Daly and Spears is back, baby! This month, John Cusack celebrates the 20th anniversary of Say Anything... and the release of disaster-porn epic 2012. So we thought this would be a swell time to honor the Top 10 Flicks of our definitive '80s actor. (Or is he?) Prepare to disagree with everything Sean says RIGHT HERE.

The Best 'Toon Tunage: Phineas and Ferb, South Park, the Simpsons, Merrie Melodies

 

When you’re the father of two wee daughters — ages five and 21 months to be exact — the process of accepting their incessant “car music” comes in three stages:

(1) I bet the Jonas Brothers can’t throw a football.

(2) If Miley Cyrus were my daughter, that would make me Billy Ray Cyrus, which would make me cry a great deal.

(3) Okay, fine, maybe Dora the Explorer shouldn’t be tied to the outside of the space shuttle.

You eventually get used to the songs, singing along with your brood solely as a matter of self-preservation. But there’s rarely genuine enjoyment involved. That’s what makes the music of Phineas and Ferb, the Disney Channel’s No. 1 animated series for kids six to 14, such a revelation. The story of two inventive brothers, an exasperated older sis and a pet platypus named Perry (who’s also a secret agent), Phineas and Ferb blends sly humor, slapstick -- and some of the best ’toon tunage in TV history. (Gitchee Gitchee Goo is pure power-pop goodness.)

It also got me thinking of 10 other great televised ’toons that consistently mastered melody far beyond having a catchy theme song. Feel free to sing along:

Merrie Melodies (1931-1969) Nothing makes me laugh harder than Bugs Bunny calling that sinister square dance for those warring hillbillies. “Grab a fencepost, hold it tight /Womp your partner with all your might!”

Spongebob Squarepants (1999-?) Surrealism has never been so catchy. “The best time to wear a striped sweater is all the tiiime.” When Spongie comes on my iPod, I rarely skip ahead.

The Simpsons (1989-?) Wow, where to start with the Springfield spoofery? How about Flaming Moe’s, Lisa It’s Your Birthday and The Monorail Song. Oh, and Rock Me, Dr. Zaius.

South Park (1997-?) Thei nfamouscombo platter of R. Kelly, Tom Cruise and Trapped in the Closet helped Matt Stone and Trey Parker score an Emmy nom.

The Flintstones (1960-1966) Remember the Bedrock Twitch? “When you get an itch, you do the Twitch, in Bedrock! Twitch! Twitch!”

The Jackson 5ive (1971-1973) Okay, this is a bit of cheat, as the songs were already album cuts — and the animation was crappy. But it proved that cartoon madcappery is instantly made cooler when soundtracked by MJ & Co.

Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-1985, 1993-1999) Three Is a Magic Number, Conjunction Junction, Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here — all written by the saintly Bob Dorough for ABC’s great edu-snippets. You’d be surprised (or not) at how often I still rely on those songs.

Family Guy (1999-2002, 2005-?) Seth MacFarlane creeps me out. But songs a la Everything Is Better With a Bag of Weed are a twisted brand of genius.

The Peanuts Holiday Specials (1965, 1966, 1973) Not only is it the greatest ’toon tune, but Vince Guaraldi’s Linus and Lucy is jazz piano perfection — and an instant mood-enhancer.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) The correct lyrics for Welcome Christmas? “Fah who foraze! Dah who doraze! Welcome Christmas! Come this way!”

SD's 2009 Christmas Music Spectacular!

 

I should apologize now to all 68-year-old divorcees and related Neil Diamond fans. I usually love cheesy Neil. I even love gooey, greasy Velveeta Neil. But his new Cherry Cherry Christmas is a stinker. Of course, I'm obviously delirious, 'cause I somehow liked David Archuleta's yuletide offering, that cute lil' Disneyfied eunuch. For all the ho-ho hits, READ THIS, BOYS AND GIRLS.

'Glee' soundtrack out in stores today (love that Puck cover of 'Sweet Caroline')

The Glee soundtrack just showed up in my mailbox. And although only half of the 17 tracks are inspired, the good stuff is pretty damn great. You know Don't Stop Believin' and Somebody to Love. But my fave is bad-boy Puck's smarmily seductive Sweet Caroline. A man after my own twisted, manipulative heart. Enjoy!

The Cracker Barrel Playlist

I'm obsessed with Cracker Barrel. Not just the death-defying Farmer's Breakfast (sausage patties, please, and hashbrown casserole instead of those horrific fried apples) or that confounding peg game that makes me feel like a dumbass. Or even the fact that my daughters turn into jelly-hurling demons whenever we eat there. I'm all about the Barrel's store, too, stuffed as it is with old-timey candy, road games that 21st century kids scoff at and great gobs of God-fearing, straight-down-the-middle music: Dolly Parton, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, hymns galore. I'm on the Barrel's media contact list, and they just sent me an Alan Jackson hits disc plus a full catalogue of Barrel-sponsored Alan Jackson regalia (cowboy hats, shirts, mugs, skillets, etc.). It's a sweet marketing deal for the country singer -- the man knows his audience for sure. Plus it got me thinking: Maybe Cracker Barrel is the Last American Music Store, affordable tunes for mobility on Route 66, down-home hits as a source of freedom and expansion and that trip to see the grandkids. I dunno. There might be something there. Or maybe I just sprinkled too much peyote on my grits.

In the meantime, let's do a little playlisting, a little somethin' for breakfast on this fine Tuesday. All things Cracker Barrel: the food, the clientele, those rocking chairs. And don't forget the 37 biscuits they provide with every meal. 

Breakfast in America -- Supertramp
Old Man -- Neil Young
Dancing Across the USA -- Lindsey Buckingham
Peg -- Steely Dan
Keep on the Sunny Side -- Doc Watson
The Rocking Chair -- Beautiful South
Burnt Biscuits -- Booker T. and the MGs
Ham N Eggs -- A Tribe Called Quest
Heart Attack -- Olivia Newton-John
Route 66 -- Chuck Berry
Drivin' on 9 -- the Breeders
Roll Out the Barrel -- Bobby Vinton
Sweet Thistle Pie -- Cracker

Adam Lambert: First single, track listing on 'For Your Entertainment,' out Nov. 23

 

I don't hate the Xanadu-meets-Road Warrior cover art for Adam Lambert's debut album, In fact, it's so out-and-proud, you have to appreciate the sparkly-font, fingerless-glove brazeness of it all. And I like the list of his songwriters: Pink, Justin Hawkins, Green Day producer Rob Cavallo. But title track and first single For Your Entertainment sounds like a synthetic Justin Timberlake-in-spandex cut, which is sorta of like saying it sounds like fake polyester. It's pretty weak. Of course, the buzz and marketing behind this album, out Nov. 23, are almost guaranteeing it'll ship platinum. Anyway, check out the song, and let me know what you think. GO HERE FOR ALL YOUR GLAMBERT NEEDS.

What do Celine Dion, Babs Streisand and the Tubes' terrifying Fee Waybill have in common?

They all help pay off David Foster's three ex-wives. How do I know this? Because while you were out gallavanting Friday, having the time of your young, fruitful lives, I was working.

Of Norway, Wolfmother and the Naked Bicycle

 

When I was 17, I spent a foreign-exchange summer in Norway. I signed up for the Scandinavian jaunt mainly for a fantasized processional of hot, topless Norse women. Imagine my delight when, lo and behold, that teen-sex-comedy trope turned out to be somewhat accurate. Someday I’ll tell you about the native pastime of the Naked Bicycle. But alas, this is a music column.

Two pivotal things occurred in the Land of the Midnight Sun that would help convince me, 22 grownup years later, that Wolfmother (yes, Wolfmother) is the greatest band of the 21st century. While lodging with a host family in the Oslo suburb of Grorud, I refused to get my hair cut. At the end of three months, I owned a phenomenal mushroom-cloud ’fro. My wee ballcap no longer fit; instead, it merely perched on my head like a ceremonial beanie.

Man, I loved that hair.

During that time, I roomed with my host brother, Tor, whose primary indulgence was great greasy slabs of ’70s rock ’n’ roll. I was raised on Elton John and Billy Joel, so the crunchy guitar scrum was ear-opening for me. Tor’s curvaceous older sister was named Trine, who slept in the bedroom next door. Trine was vavoomish and, it should be noted, adept at the Naked Bicycle. Her hairy, scrawny boyfriend, Fruta, loved AC/DC -- probably more than he loved Trine. So the poor lass could only roll her eyes as these three goofy hirsutes headbanged their mighty coifs to testosterrific thunder.

Man, I loved that summer.

Which brings us, ultimately, to Wolfmother, a young, furry Australian quartet that has no interest in (1) subtlety, (2) modesty, or (3) anything created after 1973 — or whenever Zeppelin made that deal with the devil. Tor and Fruta would have loved ’em!

Wolfmother’s 2005 self-titled debut, featuring the hit Woman, was one of the best albums of that year; sophomore disc Cosmic Egg, released just this week, might be even better. It’s heavy, metallic and utterly ridiculous, but it has more shimmery sheen than the inaugural disc. The layered (and layered again) guitar parts come in industrial sizes. A stoner organ swells with B-movie drama. And the drums go from hard to harder — even on the ballads. First single New Moon Rising is a howler’s delight, with cascading power riffs, schizoid rhythm and lyrics that revolve around busty mystics, a favorite Wolfmother topic (“She don’t mind / She got the time / I see the new moon rising”).

The only member of Wolfmother you really need to know is Andrew Stockdale, 33, who's maniacal, randy and topped by an enormous shag of hair that generates gravitional pull. He’s chasing that great, groovy endless summer, too. As well as writing and playing, Stockdale takes the lead vocals, banshee-wailing not unlike Robert Plant’s snotty kid brother. The randy fantasy White Feather (presumably about having sex with a busty mystic) and In the Morning (presumably about having breakfast with a busty mystic) lean closer to “radio ready” than Wolfmother’s last batch of complex sludge — that is, if you could consider the Beatles’ Me and My Monkey “radio ready.”

Cosmic Egg reminds me of the hazy old days, of Norwegian summers and beyond, when our hair was long and our libidos were going full tilt boogie. It reminds me of Trine and Tor and Fruta and that awesomely expanding head of curly locks I grew in the summer of ’87. I’m not sure if I can still muster a killer ’do like that, but I’ll say this: The new Wolfmother album makes me want to try.

C-3PO dishes the dirt! A chat with Anthony Daniels, the man behind the golden mask

 

"Mark Hamill and I would go through lines in the car and I remember saying, 'How can you say this drivel with a straight face?' And he said, 'Well, look at what you have to say.' I said, 'But I have a mask on. None of my friends know I'm in this movie.' Some of the lines were absolutely wince-making. We were all wrong. George was all right." READ ON, YOUNG JEDIS! 

Weezer: New album 'Raditude' packed with roller-rink rock and NBA-arena timeout jams

 

Weezer
Album: Raditude (Geffen)
In stores: Nov. 3 
When Weezy met Weezer: Rivers Cuomo likes to play the shlub, the social misfit, and his power-pop band’s best albums (Pinkerton, Maladroit) revolve around his perversions. At the same time, the Weezer frontman is famous for lugging around a notebook with which he searches for the Ultimate Hit Formula, a sad sack in search of hap-hap-happiness. New album Raditude lets us know that Cuomo is growing out of his insecurities — and getting closer to that magical pairing of notes and beats. It also means that any sort of emotional complexity has been abandoned for an exclusive assault of roller-rink rock and Fonzie fantasies. This is, by far, the band’s most ecstatic offering, 10 tracks and 34 minutes of verse-hook-verse that rarely goes dark. Instead, it’s delirious, as Cuomo reaches out to R&B producer Jermaine Dupri and rap star Lil Wayne for the funky-white-boy strut of Can’t Stop Partying. On Love Is the Answer, Weezer incorporates traditional Indian instruments into an uplifting message. And there’s plenty of classic jangle-pop fun, from the NBA-arena stomp of The Girl Got Hot to the nerd-pop drive of (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To. The album has all the nutritional content of a Drake's Cake, and you know the bespectacled frontman can write this stuff in his sleep. Then again, is there anyone with catchier dreams that Rivers Cuomo?
Reminds us of: Amid all the thrusty drums and “Whoa-oh-oh” shout-outs on The Girl Got Hot, Cuomo sneaks in a great Kiki Dee reference. You think Don’t Go Breaking My Heart is mentioned in his magical notebook? I bet it is.
Download these: The Girl Got Hot, I Don’t Want to Let You Go and I’m Your Daddy
Grade: A

The Stephen King Playlist

 

After four weeks of counting down the grisliest, ghouliest Halloween hits, I was ready to move on to a brighter, happier playlist. The Baby Feet Playlist, perhaps. Or maybe the Puffy Unicorn Stickers Playlist. But then I received the most awesome PR email in the history of PR emails. On Nov. 16, in a rare public appearance, Stephen King will speak at Sarasota’s Van Wezel Hall. You can go to http://www.vanwezel.org for tickets, and read all about it in the Critics Circle blog. But make sure to save a ticket for me. Along with Mark Twain and John Irving, King is my preferred man of letters, a populist with vampire fangs. It shouldn’t have taken late-career endorsements by The New Yorker and lit critics to confirm his standing, but the more the merrier, I guess. I always tell new King readers to start with Misery and Night Shift; save The Stand for the long, hot summer of your 16th year. Anyway, let’s celebrate the arrival of the macabre master, whose new novel, Under the Dome, will be published on Nov. 10. I used the Ramones’ Pet Sematary for our Halloween rundown, but here are 10 other cuts nodding to King novels. See ya in Sarasota, Constant Readers.

Christine Sixteen, Kiss
Talisman, the Guess Who
Miss Misery, Elliott Smith
Firestarter, the Prodigy
Tower of Song, Leonard Cohen
Carrie, Europe
Desperation Samba, Jimmy Buffett
Stand, R.E.M.
From a Buick 6, Bob Dylan
The Shining, Badly Drawn Boy

Times critic Persall moonwalks out of 'This Is It'

 

"Director Kenny Ortega -- whom Jackson trusted with staging his comeback – orchestrated a minor miracle with This Is It, culling footage from weeks of rehearsals into a surprisingly smooth, energetic idea of what a 21st century Michael Jackson concert would be." READ STEVE PERSALL'S REVIEW.

Wolfmother: New album, new song, new giant 'fro for head shredder Andrew Stockdale

Wolfmother |MTV Music

Man, I love this band. The return of Wolfmother makes me want to resurface my entire home in fake-wood-paneling and make a bong out of a lava lamp. The hirsute quartet (but really just singer-guitarist Andrew Stockdale and replaceable dudes) released sophomore disc Cosmic Egg this week. It's awesomely stuck in the shaggy '70s or wherever corduroy slacks are sold. Badass first single is New Moon Rising. Have fun and howl almighty.

'Suckin' It for the Holidays'? An exposed Kathy Griffin leads a barrage of Christmas albums

On the list of people you never want to find under the mistletoe, you gotta rank Kathy Griffin up there pretty high. Like maybe right after Dick Cheney but ahead of, like, everyone else in the entire world, living or dead. But maybe that's me? Maybe you have no problems with this album cover, on which the comedienne is presumably exposing her naughty bits to an unfortunately situated St. Nick?

Griffin's wistfully titled holiday disc, Suckin' It for the Holidays, is one of myriad Santa season discs stacked high on my work desk right now. I'm currently listening to the soundtrack of A Christmas Story, which is just now being released 26 years after the movie's release. Ralphie's flick isn't famous for its music, but it's sweet and funny and engrained in our DNA, so kudos to the folks at Rhino for finally putting it out there.

Here are the other new holiday albums I'll be working through:

Bob Dylan -- Christmas in the Heart
Sting -- If on a Winter's Night
Neil Diamond -- A Cherry Cherry Christmas
Michael McDonald -- This Christmas
Sugarland -- Gold and Green"
Tori Amos -- Midwinter Graces
REO Speedwagon -- Not So Silent Night
Connie Talbot -- Holiday Magic
The Dan Band -- Ho
Various Artists -- Putumayo Presents A Family Christmas
David Archuleta -- Christmas From the Heart

PODCAST! Guilty Pleasure Songs of the '80s (or why is John "Staying Alive" Travolta so oily?)

Aww yeah, a little something for the ladies. Soak it in, my sisters. Just the thing to kickstart your Tuesday: a lubed-up Johnny T. You can thank me later -- or after you listen to this week's Stuck in the '80s show, which is all about the Guilty Pleasure Songs of that magical decade. Our deranged listeners picked the Top 10 doozies that make you wanna holler...and roll up your car windows so no one can hear your shame. Naturally, Frank Stallone's resiliently rocking Far From Over is on there; that was the title track from Saturday Night Fever sequel Staying Alive, which somehow used more body oil than a Jenna Jameson movie. We discuss that cultural wrinkle, and all the other fine things in life, on a show that must be heard. LISTEN! LEARN! LUBE! 

It's pronounced BOOB-lay

 

If you hate Michael Buble, you'll like this. If you hate me -- a club whose membership is thriving quite nicely these days -- you might also kind of like this. READ ON.

(And if you'd like to have access to pictures of me in lederhosen, enter the magic at www.facebook.com/seandaly.tampabay.) 

Death Cab, Grizzly Bear, St. Vincent make 'New Moon' soundtrack better than it should be

 

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack (Atlantic)
In stores: Now
Bella Notte: This moody, mesmerizing soundtrack, filled with sullen reverb and gothy melancholy, didn’t have to be this good to sell huge. In fact, it could have been an hour of gastrointestinal squips, and young folks would have still gobbled the album in record numbers. Author Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series — about mopey girl Bella Swan and neck-hungry luvah Edward Cullen — sells like gangbusters in any form: books, movies, albums, creepy figurines that thirtysomething mothers of two keep asking for much to the chagrin of their rock-critic fiances. New Moon the film, a sequel to last year’s Twilight, doesn’t hit theaters until Nov. 20, but its soundtrack might be the best thing the franchise has offered up so far. Instead of opting for catchy, obvious rock hits — a la Paramore’s Decode from the Twilight soundtrack — producers went for hip: Indie royals Death Cab for Cutie, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke contribute complex art-rock ruminations, all parts buzz, drone and lament. L.A. alt-folk outfit Sea Wolf offers a kickin’ number called The Violet Hour, which sounds like a slightly sour Violent Femmes cut. Even the ballads are intricate, including Bon Iver and St. Vincent’s creepy choral Rosyln.
Reminds us of: I’m so getting stuck with the kids on Nov. 20. Any of you dads want to have a play date?
Download these: Meet Me on the Equinox (Death Cab for Cutie), Rosyln (Bon Iver and St. Vincent) and The Violet Hour (Sea Wolf)
Grade: A

The Ultimate Halloween Playlist: The Top 10

 

Here you go, boys and graverobbers, the finale to our Ultimate Halloween Playlist. I’m lovin’ all 40 cuts on the countdown, although there were two tough omissions. Loyal Pop Life reader Bill S. made repeated pleas to get Vanilla Fudge’s Season of the Witch included. Alas, I couldn’t squeeze it in. But if you live in Pasco, Bill promises to set up speakers outside his house and crank the ’68 creepfest for brave trick-or-treaters. That’s the evil spirit, Bill! Also, the fantastically named Vic Mizzy died this week. The Brooklyn songwriter was 93. Don’t know the Miz? He wrote two classic TV themes: Green Acres and...The Addams Family. Not sure why Gomez and Morticia’s finger-snappin’ fun didn’t make our list. But hey, if you’re building your own party soundtrack, feel free to swap it in for, say, Christina Aguilera’s Candyman, which readers really didn’t appreciate. Of course, we all agree on the Top 10, right? Happy Halloween, kids.

10 Time Warp, the cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show
9 Weird Science, Oingo Boingo
8 This Is Halloween, Danny Elfman
7 The Twilight Zone Theme, Marius Constant
6 Werewolves of London, Warren Zevon
5 Bela Lugosi’s Dead, Bauhaus
4 I Put a Spell on You, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
3 Halloween Theme: Main Title, John Carpenter
2 Monster Mash, Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt Kickers
1 Thriller, Michael Jackson

To recap the Ultimate Halloween Playlist, here are Nos. 40-31 and Nos. 30-21 and Nos. 20-11. 

You want more hate mail? You got it.

 

Today's game of "Sean Sucks!" comes courtesy of Scot, who tells me where to go -- specifically, last night's Allman Brothers show. As for Kiss, well, he's apparently not a fan.

I’m an avid reader of the Times and believe it is by far the best paper in the state, maybe even the country.

With that said, I wanted to express my shock in reading your article in today’s paper about the Kiss concert. There is not one paragraph in today’s or yesterday’s paper about our local celebrity band playing their 40-year tour: one of the greatest bands of the past four decades and local boys to top that off.

The Allman Brothers Band.

I enjoy reading your articles even when I disagree with your critiques, but boy did you blow this one. Last night's ABB show has to be in the top 3 or 4 of all time and definitely the #1 ABB concert out of countless shows I’ve attended. Trucks and Haynes were pure all night with some of the wickedest licks you’ve heard in your life. Copies of the live CD are available. Maybe you can clean the BS makeup out of your damaged ears and listen to some real music.

You preferred watching a carnival act over one of the greatest bands of all time?

I think the winter months in Syracuse altered more than a few of your brain cells...
 

Review: Kiss at the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Oct. 21, 2009

 

Behold, the unfurled Loch Nessian tongue of Gene Simmons! If you want more, come lick it up RIGHT HERE. There's also a kickass photo gallery RIGHT HERE.

Photo by calm, cool, collected Times star Dirk Shadd

Taylor Swift to play St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa on March 4, 2010

 

Taylor Swift -- the sly Nashville siren who has the uncanny ability to make smart men do dumbass things (see West, Kanye and Schnitt, Todd "MJ") -- is bringing her superpowers to Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum on March 4, 2010. She'll be joined by BFF Kellie Pickler and Gloriana. Tickets go on sale Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. Go to ticketmaster.com for more info. In related Swift news, she'll host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7. I'll bet you a fat wad of cash they get Kanye to appear, too. Oh, the hijinks that will ensue...

Here's MTV's Halloween Playlist

 

As we put the finishing touches on the Ultimate Halloween Playlist -- stay tuned for the Top 10 -- here's a rundown of MTV's top haunted videos. I can honestly say I didn't even think of putting Rihanna's Disturbia on our list of 40 songs; same with Jibbs' King Kong (wha???). They have Ray Parker Jr. in the No. 4 slot; but our list is so damn cool, Mr. Ghostbusters could only muster No. 33. Anyway, to watch all of MTV's spooky spots, GO HERE.

Come meet radio legend Cousin Brucie (and his handsome presenter) at the Festival of Reading

Hey cousins, at this Saturday's 17th annual St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading -- which is still FREE and still awesome -- I'll have the honor of presenting hall of fame broadcaster "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, the man who helped introduce Elvis to America. The 72-year-old radio royal is tourin' and talkin' behind a glossy new book, Rock & Roll: And the Beat Goes On. I recently dialed up the Cuz to introduce myself. Here's an excerpt from our chat. READ.

Cousin Brucie will speak at 3:15 p.m. in the Campus Activities Center at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. For more info on other special guests -- Andy Borowitz! Senator Bob Graham! -- go HERE. Stop by and say hi!

R.I.P. Vic Mizzy, composer of the Addams Family theme (and Green Acres!!!)

Now I feel REALLY bad for not including this in my Ultimate Halloween Playlist. The Brooklyn-born Mizzy (what a name!) has left us at the age of 93. That's a darn good run, and there's certainly a place in heaven (or a dusty shelf in Chez Addams) for his contribution to pop culture. Well done, Vic.

Hate Mail (sealed with a KISS)

 

Today's letter comes from a gentleman in Odessa, Fla. He wasn't a big fan of my interview with KISS. (READ) Oh well. At the very least, I really could use some divine mercy.

Mr. Daly:

It is shameful how music columnists such as yourself either naively or corruptly endorse the tired old act of knights in satan's service band.  It is hard to gauge the amount of corrupted children and adults left in the wake of these demons, and apparently, you are included. 

Yes, evil has been a force in many media outlets for many years, it is just so much easier in the form of dark rock and roll, which this vulgar group viciously displays.  How sad that you must promote this profane garbage to the readers of this paper.

May God have mercy on your soul.

Photo: Getty Images

'Grim Grinning Ghosts'

This one goes out to Kid Lulu, Mai-Mai, Larry and all my peeps on the NCMD Disney Extravaganza last weekend. We braved the Haunted Mansion -- and crooned along to No. 15 on the controversial Ultimate Halloween Playlist. Thurl Ravenscroft rules!

'Stache of Perfection: SD's Hall & Oates Top 5

 

For a great chunk of the ’70s and ’80s, blue-eyed-soulsters Daryl Hall and John Oates worked in pop perfection. Peerless in the art of pristine hooks, the Philly boys were downright Beatlesesque in conjuring a consistent effervescent magic. Everything this musical Mutt & Jeff touched was destined to get stuck in your brain pan. Their short, sweet songs may not have been deep, and Oates’ mustache might have been distracting, but it made for blissful radio. And wow, does it endure.

To promote their new 4-CD box set, the must-have Do What You Want, Be What You Are, the super duo appears in the latest ish of Entertainment Weekly. Hall provides a list of his “greatest songs”: She’s Gone, Sara Smile, Every Time You Go Away, You Make My Dreams and One on One. That’s a fine list...but I beg to differ. Here are Hall & Oates’ best songs — according to your man at Pop Life.

Wait for Me (1979) The brilliance of H&O can be found in small, crucial touches. Here’s it’s the bittersweetly escalating “La la”s that add candy-coated heartache.

Private Eyes (1981) Best use of synthetic handclaps ever!

Did It in a Minute (1981) Pure silly sing-along bliss.

I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do) (1981) Most of the song is just average, but that harmonized bridge is their greatest moment as a duo. “I’ll do anything that you want me toooooo...”

Out of Touch (1984) There’s a small, twisted cult of us who understand the genius of the Big Bam Boom album. Join the club, won’t you?

Crave more Oates action? Listen to our great Stuck in the '80s interview with the man, the myth, the mustache RIGHT HERE.

The Ultimate Halloween Playlist Nos. 20-11

 

Pennies, stickers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, anything promoting positive dental care — none of this is acceptable to give out on Halloween. Same goes for uncandied apples, Play Doh, boxes of raisins and anti-pagan tchotchkes doled out by women who remind you of Carrie’s mom. (Dirty pillows!) Here’s the deal, spoilsports: Kids will consume pounds of choco goodness whether you like it or not. In fact, you’re actually being harmful by trying to be healthy with your tricky treats. Why? Because (1) the “Stay in School” pencil topper you insisted on giving out are destined for a nearby landfill and (2) so is the toilet paper that will inevitably be wrapped around your house because kids hate you. Me? I’m giving out Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, KitKats and Take 5s. Cliche? Maybe. Delicious? Yep. Have a Baby Ruth, boys and girls, and enjoy the Halloween Playlist, Nos. 20-11.

20 Bark at the Moon, Ozzy Osbourne
19 Pet Sematary,the Ramones
18 Mr. Sandman, the Chordettes
17 (You’re the) Devil in Disguise, Elvis Presley
16 Witchcraft, Frank Sinatra
15 Grim Grinning Ghosts, from Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride
14 The Munsters Theme, Los Straitjackets
13 Psycho Killer, Talking Heads
12 Welcome to My Nightmare, Alice Cooper
11 I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow

To recap, here are Nos. 40-31 and Nos. 30-21. 

Next week...the Terrifying Top 10!!!

Questions for...C-3P0?

The Stuck in the '80s team of Daly and Spears will be chatting up Anthony Daniels aka C-3PO on Thursday. How cool is that? Eat it up, nerds!

On Nov. 1, at the St. Pete Times Forum, a multimedia 'splosion called "Star Wars: In Concert" will combine an 86-piece symphony, a three-story hi-def video screen showing "the saga" plus narration by Daniels. For tickets and a totally dorktastic preview, go to http://starwarsinconcert.com/.

So...WHO HAS QUESTIONS FOR C-3P0?