Congratulations to Lady Gaga for her record-breaking 13 MTV Video Award nominations. At Lollapalozza, she wowed the crowd, which consisted of more than just her usual monsters. As she did at her Rosemont concert earlier this year, the blonde bombshell preached a message of inclusiveness and dedicated "Boys Boys Boys" to her gay fan base.
If you put your ear to the wind in the direction of Boystown, you can hear many a foot tapping with anticipation for the next Lady Gaga album. The shockstar finally issued The Remix domestically. Here, 10 of her songs are reinterpreted by DJs and production teams including Richard Vission, Frankmuzik and Stuart Price. Even controversial rocker Marilyn Manson plays it up on the chorus to "Lovegame."
The Remix reminds the listener that Lady Gaga does have a solid catalog under her corset, but hearing these numbers reworked spares us from hearing the same exact songs pumping out of car stereos and gay bars worldwide. Is it wrong that the ones I enjoy most here are the new takes on the lesser overexposed "Eh, Eh ( Nothing Else I Can Say ) ," "The Fame" and "Dance in the Dark?"
Her latest video, "Alejandro," recalls Madonna's "Vogue" and "Express Yourself." The controversy surrounding the clip reminds me of how Madonna and Sinead O'Connor once made headlines with a scandal du jour whenever they had something to promote.
Roisin Murphy has been bringing her fashion-forward brand to the music scene for the last 15 years. There are plenty similarities between her eye-grabbing ensembles and Lady Gaga's. Murphy came into prominence as one half of Moloko. This U.K. act scored hits overseas with "Bring It Back," "The Time Is Now" and "Forever More."
Spare yourself from a Lady Gaga overdose and seek out Murphy's second solo outing, Overpowered. This 2007 album features witty, catchy pop-gone-electronic goodies like "You Know Me Better" and "Checkin' on Me." But the "Ain't Nobody"-sampling "Parallel Lives" and irresistible "Cry Baby" are stuck on repeat on my iPod.
Murphy gave birth to a daughter in the end of last year and intends to release some more singles like the throwback house number "Momma's Place" before her next solo bow is ready for release.
If Jamiroquai and Fatboy Slim had a lovechild and Felix da Housecat was the godfather, the offspring would be Kissy Sell Out. The British producer and remixer is also a DJ on a weekly program on BBC Radio 1. International audiences are wise to Kissy Sell Out's joyously spastic vibe, but the electro EP Introducing will drop stateside, alas, Aug. 31.
On Saturday, Sept. 4, Kissy Sell Out will be spinning at The Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake, as an after party for the North Coast Music Festival. Performing at the festival are many greats in the dance genre like Chemical Brothers, Moby and De La Soul. For more information, please visit northcoastfestival.com .
Overlook the severe pose with eye liner on the cover of Brian Kent's single, "I'll Find a Way." The openly gay dance singer delivers an uplifting track that can part clouds with its remarkably huge chorus. The Twisted Dee Ultimate Dub delivers quite a punch, peeling away the original's pop polish. But the DeMarko! Powerhaus Opus Anthem turns the ditty into a trance treat. "I'll Find a Way" is out now on CD and iTunes.
On the passionate song "Be," gilli moon shows her cards as she sings, "I'm a hopeless romantic." This foreshadows the beautiful "Cos I Love You So," "Cling On" and "Secret of My Heart." Her latest, The Stillness, the singer-songwriter shines on ballads and mid-tempo numbers, but she brings the house down with the gospel-flavored epic "Silent Prophet." Moon's sixth album also features the pop goodie "I Am" and the environmentally conscious "Bushwalk." Just try not to be charmed by her Australian accent at the end of "I'm Alive."
On top of being a gifted musician, the Los Angeles-based moon also heads her own label Warrior Girl Music and found music-focused non-profit organization Songsalive!. The Stillness is out now.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, The Third Annual Chickago Social takes place at the parking lot behind Cheetah Gym, 5238 N. Clark, 3-10 p.m. B-96's DJ Nikki is hosting with an array of talented women: Bridget Lyons, Sean Wiggins, Katie Todd Band, Renya Larson Band, DJ Versage and DJ Lisa Pittman.
But with Wiggins, "Isn't There More?" She and her band will hit the stage Friday, Aug. 27, at Briejo Restaurant, 211 Harrison, Oak Park, at 9:30 pm. Information regarding reservations can be found at briejo.com .
Does Bon Jovi have substance other than big hair, some '80s power-pop anthems and efforts trying to pick up where David Lee Roth left Van Halen stranded? The New Jersey rockers are the subject of Richard Bozzett's Sex, Drugs and Bon Jovi. Bozzett was the band's tour manager during its formative years from 1983 through 1989. The group is not one of the well-publicized overindulgers like Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne or Poison. Bozzett's eye-opening biography sheds light on sex scandals and drug abuse that never surfaced during Bon Jovi's breakout period. Sex, Drugs and Bon Jovi is out now.
