Before I previewed Ke$ha's latest, Warrior, I caught an episode of Suburgatory, where the superficial teenager Dalia makes an elaborate music video to win back her former housekeeper. The clip has choreography, humor and heavily digitalized vocals. I chuckled, thinking that this drawn-out joke would have more personality and originality than Ke$ha's Warrior.
Before I consider a career in soothsaying, a good chunk of Warrior seems like a cheap rehashing of her previous hits. Just check out the glaring comparisons between "Crazy Kids" and "We R Who We R." To further the insult, Ke$ha sets her standards low as "Only Wanna Dance with You" comes across as an update of Avril Lavigne's embarrassing "Girlfriend." Even Iggy Pop's guest spot on "Dirty Love" is a lost cause. Warrior does have some better moments. "Supernatural" is the set's highlight and the runner-up "Love into the Light" resembles Shiny Toy Guns. "Wonderland" and "Thinking of You" show us that even Auto-tuned vocals can have sensitivity.
To fend off those who criticize her skills, Ke$ha released the EP Deconstructed, which is more acoustic and shows that she is not dependent on robotic vocals.
Kelly Clarkson has the distinct achievement of being the first American Idol winner. The big-voiced Texan issues her first retrospective, Greatest Hits Chapter One. It opens with "Since U Been Gone," which gave the video bars a dose of sugar-coated rock n' roll. There are cliche-driven, cringe-worthy tunes like "My Life Would Suck without You" and "Walk Away," but Clarkson redeems herself with "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Breakaway." Only "Never Again" found its way here from her most artistic endeavor, 2007's My December. The duets "Don't You Wanna Stay" and "Don't Rush"—with Jason Aldean and Vince Gill, respectively—provide country-music leanings. Sorely missing are "The Trouble with Love Is" and "Low." Regardless, this is a solid collection spotlighting Clarkson's career in the last decade.
As a precursor to the forthcoming album, Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara released the dazzling, upbeat love song "Closer." The Canadian lesbian twins are rumored to be working with singer-songwriter Sia Furler (Christina Aguilera, David Guetta, Zero 7) on this collection, too. The pair has stepped in the direction of electronic dance music with recent collaborations. "Body Work," with Morgan Page, and "Every Chance We Get We Run," with David Guetta, prove how versatile Tegan and Sara's sound can be. On Friday, Dec. 21, Tegan and Sara will open for The Killers at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave.
Beloved female rock band BETTY brings its holiday show to City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., on Wed., Dec. 19. Also on the bill are Scott Montgomery and Matt Long. BETTY famously provided the theme songs to Showtime's The L Word and HBO's Real Sex. The group's website hints that a follow-up to 2009's Bright & Dark is on the horizon.
In 2008, out crooner Sam Sparro scored a Top 10 hit overseas with the sexy electro sizzler "Black and Gold." The handsome Australian artist returns with the full-length album Return to Paradise, which is out now digitally. His varied vocal delivery shows influence from his gay forefathers like Erasure's Andy Bell on "Happiness" and Jimmy Somerville on "Closer." The set is surprisingly funky. "Let the Love In" has a keyboard riff that recalls Rene & Angela's hey-day in the '80s. Even Prince's spirit cameos on "The Shallow End" and "I Wish I Never Met You." The digital album also includes the fantastic spunky bonus track, "Quarter Life Crisis," as well as seven remixes. Return to Paradise is a fun, lively and pleasant surprise, which gives us a glimpse at Sparro's promising career.
Legendary rock band Queen presents 33 of its videos on Greatest Video Hits via Eagle Rock Entertainment. This double disc DVD spans 1974's Shear Heart Attack to 1989's The Miracle. Not only does this collection have goodies that were overlooked from the compilations Classic Queen and Greatest Hits like "Las Palabras De Amor," but it also has unforgettable staples like "Somebody to Love" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." There are some mighty awesome fashions trends like bell-bottoms, singlets, short shorts and leather, as well as loveable yet dated special effects on "Flash" and "Radio Ga Ga." "Another One Bites the Dust" and "Friends Will Be Friends" remind us of the late Freddie Mercury's commanding stage presence. "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "I Want to Break Free"—where the quartet is in drag—remain Queen's most memorable visuals. Greatest Video Hits also features commentary from guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor.
My Christmas wishes have been answered! After a hiatus, Ladies of the Canyon Presents returns will the tribute Women Who Rock on Thursday, Dec. 20, at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. This always entertaining group of local female singer-songwriters re-creates the material of the artists we know and love with a tight, talented band that compliments them perfectly. Usually, Ladies of the Canyon Presents salutes only one of the greats per concert, so I am excited to see the likes of Pat Benatar, Indigo Girls and Heart revisited, plus the ones I have missed, like Chaka Khan. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com, and Ladies of the Canyon Presents is on Facebook.
