NATIVE TOURIST ANNOUNCEMENT

The Native Tourist Blog may look set to move to a different host due to continuing copyright infringement issues meaning that we cannot give you links to get the latest and greatest music available! This decision will be made by the weekend and we will keep you posted!

Any suggestions, feel free to comment!

38 BEST SONGS OF '08 (8-1)

It has to be said, 2008 was a great year in music! We saw the rise of the phoenix (Britney), some of the best emerging new acts of the last decade (Lady Gaga) and strong follow ups from big acts of past (T.I., MGMT)!

But enough chatter, here are the final 8 of the 38 BEST SONGS OF '08!

8. “Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
7. “Time To Pretend” - MGMT
6. “Sex On Fire” – Kings of Leon

5. “Get Shaky” – The Ian Carey Project
A late runner, but a track which has defined dance music '08 style!

4. “Paper Planes” – M.I.A.
An anthem that will last and still be "cool" into the next decade!

3. “Run” – Leona Lewis
From the best voice of 'o8 comes the most emotionally beautiful track! Touched!

2. “Womanizer” – Britney Spears
Queen of Pop making one of her most addictive tracks ever!

And finally the number 1...

1. “Forever” – Chris Brown
Merging R&B and Dance/Electronia with great power and simple brilliance, i will forever remember 2008 with what is one of the best tracks EVER!

38 BEST SONGS OF '08 (20-9)

This year saw a revival in "pop" music, and it's credibility has been reinstated with great acts created happy dittys with substance and ingenuity.

Numbers 20 thru Nine:

20. “Break The Ice” – Britney Spears
19 “Bleeding Love” – Leona Lewis
18. “Viva La Vida” – Coldplay
17. “Hot n Cold” – Katy Perry
16. “Mercy” - Duffy
15. “If I Were A Boy” - Beyonce
14. “Human” – The Killers
13. “I Hate This Part” – The Pussycat Dolls
12. “American Boy” – Estelle (feat. Kanye West)
11. “Electric Feel” - MGMT
10 “One Week Of Danger” – The Virgins
9. “Disturbia” - Rihanna

And a few that just missed the list:
"This Love” – The Veronicas
“Hollywood’s Not America” – Ferras
“A-Punk” Vampire Weekend

This years #'s 8-1 will be revealed THIS MONDAY!

NZ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

- British rockers Coldplay are set to play two shows at Auckland's Vector Arena on March 18th and 19th, as part of their "Viva La Vida" Tour. Tickets go on sale on Monday.

- Stuff.co.nz have released their top 25 Albums of the past year, with the top position going to our own Flight of the Conchords debut album, "Flight of the Conchords". In at #2 was Kings of Leon with their brilliant release "One By The Night"!

And finally the biggest question on kiwi's lips this summer will be "Who do you think killed Ethan Pierce?"
This year's season finale of Shortland Street ended with a bang as notorious bad boy Pierce was shot dead, and with many people wanting his head, it will be one storyline to be remembered all summer long!

VINCE HARDER - STROBE LIGHT

After conquering the New Zealand music charts with his collaboration on P-Money's "Everything", our latest music sensation Vince Harder returns with his "Strobe Light"!
What catches me at first is the high production level, definitely a complement! Kiwi music can be so bland and has no real attraction to it at times, but Vince showcases that he's a world wide entertainer! The music is great and definitely a club hit in the making. In general its a good solid track, nothing to go crazy over, but something to definitely prick your ears up about.
Can't wait to hear more from this promising new hit maker!

Score: 7.5/10

U2 - NEW ALBUM DETAILS

U2's twelfth studio album, "No Line on the Horizon" looks set for a release March 3rd, 2009!
The follow up to 2004's "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" currently is awaiting for a track list is yet to be confirmed, but it has been rumored that two of the probably 12 tracks are to be titled "Moment of Surrender", "Unknown Caller", and the title track.

More details to follow as they come.

Billboard Chart Beat 19/12

This week on the Billboard Charts, it's the ladies turn at the top.

On the Hot 100, Beyonce regains the #1 position with "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"! She joins Britney and Kanye with all three of them scoring two songs a piece in the Top 10!

Here's how the top 5 look this week (11.12.08):

1. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (SonyBMG)
2. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
3. Lady Gaga "Just Dance" (Interscope)
4. Britney Spears "Circus" (Jive)
5. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)

On the Billboard 200, country sensation Taylor Swift takes over at #1 with her "Fearless" scoring a 29% sales increase, selling 249,000copies this past week! Britney's "Circus" takes a sales drop of -60% to #2 with 200,000 copies.
There are no new entries in the Top 10, with the highest debut of the week Musiq Soulchild with "onmyradio" in at #11!

38 BEST SONGS OF '08 (38-21)

It's that time of year again, time for the annual lists! So here's Native Tourist's pick of the Top 38 of 'o8!

Numbers 38 thru 21:

38. “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” – Beyonce
37. “Don’t Hold Back” – The Potbelleez
36. “No Air” – Jordin Sparks (feat. Chris Brown)
35. “Feedback” – Janet
34. “Circus” – Britney Spears
33. “Girls” - Sugababes
32. “Live Your Live” - T.I. (feat. Rihanna)
31. “Untouched” – The Veronicas
30. “Jockin Jay-Z” – Jay-Z
29. “Dangerous” - M. Pokora
28. “I Kissed A Girl” – Katy Perry
27. “Everything” – P-Money (feat. Vince Harder)
26. “Sweet About Me” - Gabriella Cilmi
25. “So What” – Pink
24. “Superstar” – Lupe Fiasco
23. “We Hold On” – Kaz James
22. “Just Dance” – Lady Gaga
21. “Shake It” – Metro Station

And a few that just missed the list:
“Another Way to Die” – Jack White & Alicia Keys
“Too Late Now” – Nathan King
“Fascination” - “Alphabeat
“Low” – Flo Rida

NZ CHART BEAT

Lady Gaga makes it six weeks in a row atop the New Zealand Singles Chart with her three-headed monster hit "Poker Face"!
There have been some small movement in the top 5 this week, with Beyonce's "Single Ladies" rising into the second spot and Basshunter rising for a second week in a row to the #3 position with "Now You're Gone". In local news, Anika Moa and OpShops joint venture "Beside You debuts at an impressive #20.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (15.12.08)

1. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (Universal)
2. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (SonyMusic)
3. Basshunter "Now You're Gone" (WEA/Warner)
4. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
5. Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody" (SonyMusic)

On the album chart, Billy T James rises to the #1 spot with "The Comic Genius Of Billy T James". Nothing else too notable on the chart this week, except for a dismal debut from Fall Out Boy with their latest album "Folie A Deux" entering in at #37, their previous effort "Infinity on High" debuted atop the chart in early 2007.

LADYHAWKE - WOMANIZER

Britney's hit "Womanizer" has been covered by Kiwi royalty, Queen Ladyhawke! I love Ladyhawke and her version is very epic! It's an interesting cover, but not quite as Lily's!

Score: 6/10

Download Ladyhawke - Womanizer
(Download is very quiet, will hope to get a better version)

(RE)INTRODUCING KAZ JAMES

Kaz James is back, and set to take the world by storm with some of the best dance music on offer!
Formerly one half of the British/Australian duo The Bodyrockers, the Australian singer/DJ's debut single "Breathe" (featuring Stu Stone) was one of this years biggest club hits! After the release of his critically praised debut album "If They Knew", Kaz is back with his addictive second single, "We Hold On"!

"We Hold On" is a great song with strong vocals from Kaz and of course a stomping beat. He is clever when it comes to the structure of his music and delivers a song that is both radio friendly and sure to set the clubs alive.One to watch out for!

Score: 9/10

For more on Kaz visit kazjames.com

NEW LOOK NT BLOG

Over the next week the look of the Native Tourist Blog is set to change! Keep your eyes posted for the exciting new changes, and expect more weekly posts than ever before!
Plus there will be more downloads and tonnes more reviews!

Go "Gaga" over Xmas!

It's less than two weeks till Christmas and it seems that everyone and their dog is releasing some more shit Christmas Songs!
But don't fear, one of this years best new artists Lady Gaga is set to rock you the only dose of festive music you'll need!
Her latest offering "Christmas Tree" (featuring Space Cowboy) is a fun and upbeat techno remix of some old classic Xmas tunes, but gives it an updated and relevant feel! Gaga tells us "My Christmas Tree is delicious!", and who could disagree with that!

Score: 9/10

Download Lady Gaga - Christmas Tree.

NZ Entertainment News

- Kiwis may be amoung the first in the world to hear new material of British rockers the Artic Monkeys as reports suggestthat they will preview their new material off the third album at the 2009 Big Day Out in Auckland!

- Cynthia Nixon has confirmed that the highly anticipated sequel Sex and the City: The Movie could be filmed in New Zealand.

- The 2009 Dancing With the Stars (NZ) lineup was announced last night, with Tamati Coffey (TVNZ's Breakfast presenter), Josh Kronfeld (ex-All Black), Geraldine Brophy (ex-Shortland Street Actress), John Rowles (Singer), Rebecca Hobbs (Shortland Street, Burying Brian), Chris Hobbs (Actor), Lizzy Igasan (Captain of the Black Sticks) and Barbara Kendall (Olympian boardsailer) set to take to the floor!

The Worlds Biggest Dick!

Who does Diddy, Puff Daddy, P. Dick, Big Dick, Diddy Dick think he is! This guy is a tool!

Firstly, he's a terrible rapper (and dancer)! After painfully enduring some of his "best work" (?) i just wondered, "How did this guy get famous?" and "Are people really that tone-deaf"! He's actually the worst rapper out there (along with Soulja Boy) and when it comes to performing he's a total mess! He's a worse dancer than the whitest guy you could find!

Secondly, after viewing his latest reality "The Apprentice"-take off "I Want to Work for Diddy", i came to the conclusion that this guy is f**ked in the head! You know when Donald Trump does his random thoughts on...well whatever he wants to give his "thoughts" on this week, "wise" Diddy does the same (original!) but he just says some of the STUPIDEST stuff ever! I quote " Work is like love, i love work and you can't sleep when you're in love, so you don't sleep"! Thanks Gandhi! Someone take him off TV NOW!

And now he thinks he should be the next James Bond!
I quote: "I would like to also announce that this is my audition tape for the next James Bond. There is a black president and it’s time for there to be a black Bond." Um no i don't think so stupid!
Now I'm the first one to say that I was overjoyed when Barack Obama was elected as the US President, but where is the relevancy in having a black bond? This is just a desperate publicity stunt (well executed i may add) and brings up and issue which is so irrelevant and stupid! Stupid stupid!

So here's the deal, take Kanye and Lindsay, go to some far far away island and disappear...for good!

Get Shaky!

"Get Shaky" by DJ sensation The Ian Carey Project is pure dance/electronic heat! This song is perfect for those long summer nights at club or even on the beach!
The Washington D.C. native is one of the worlds leading DJ's and his previous hits include "Say What You Want" and the impressive "Keep On Rising"!

Score: 9/10

One to watch out for in 2009!

Baywatch New Zealand?

A new show currently titled Southern Lakes is currently in the works from US producer and director Greg Bonann (Baywatch).

"The show is said to be a "sizzling hot drama" based round Queenstown's tourism scene and will show off the surrounding beautiful landscape. As well as having "colourful" international characters, there will be three gorgeous adventurous sisters trying to rescue their grandfather's plane charter business called Queenstown Air."

Interesting.

Billboard Chart Beat 12/12

This week on the Billboard Charts, it's all Britney Spears (and T.I.) .

On the Hot 100, T.I. takes over at #1 with "Live Your Life"! Debuting in at #3 is Britney Spears with her second release (and first EVER to debut inside the Top 10) "Circus".

Here's how the top 5 look this week (11.12.08):

1. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
2. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (SonyBMG)
3. Britney Spears "Circus" (Jive)
4. Lady Gaga "Just Dance" (Interscope)
5. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)

On the Billboard 200 with the sixth biggest debut of the year, Britney Spears debuts with her highly anticipated "Circus" selling 505,000!
The only other notable debut comes from former-convict Akon debuting at #7 with his third release "Freedom".

Saving C4!

Last week i made a post referring to C4's lack of quality, and was asked by an "Anonymous" "what line up would make it better?
This got me thinking and here is my pick for what would help revive C4's dismal lineup! Some programs are owned by rival stations but are poorly screened on them and are worth investing in!

Weeknights
4-6PM Select Live
6:00PM Select Live: Top 5
6:30PM Hollyoaks
7:00PM Family Guy

Monday
7:30PM 30 Rock
8:00PM The Office
8:30PM Underbelly (Season 2) or Dollhouse
9:30PM Jono's New Show

Tuesday
7:30PM Premieres
8:00PM How I Met Your Mother (owned by TV3)
8:30PM Lie to Me
9:30PM Shameless (owned by UKTV)

Wednesday
7:30PM 90210
8:30PM Skins
9:30PM 24 (owned by TV3)

Thursday
7:30PM NEW Family Guy
8:00PM American Dad
8:30PM Supernatural (owned by TV2)
9:30PM Battle Star Gallactica

Friday
7:30PM The Official NZ Top 40
8:30PM Friday Night Lights
9:30PM Special Features

Saturday
4-7PM Select
7:00PM Family Guy
7:30PM Smallville (owned by TV2)
8:30PM 24 (Weeks Repeat)
9:30PM U Choose 40

Sunday
4-7PM Select
7:00PM Family Guy
7:30PM 90210 (Weeks Repeat)
8:30PM Friday Night Lights (Weeks Repeat)
9:30PM Skins (Weeks Repeat)

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Golden Globe Nominations 2009

The 2009 Golden Globe Nominations have been revealed and here are the nominees:
Film
Best Drama
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Revolutionary Road
Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actress - Drama
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie - Changeling
Meryl Streep - Doubt
Kristin Scott Thomas - I've loved you so long
Kate Winslet - Revolutionary Road

Best Actor - Drama
Leonardo Dicaprio - Revolutionary Road
Frank Langella - Frost/Nixon
Sean Penn - Milk
Brad Pitt - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Best Supporting Actor
Tom Cruise - Tropic Thunder
Robert Downey Jr. - Tropic Thunder
Ralph Fiennes - The Duchess
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Doubt
Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight

Best Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, Doubt
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis - Doubt
Marisa Tomei - The Wrestler
Kate Winslet - The Reader

Best Comedy or Musical
Burn After Reading
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Mamma Mia!
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Actress - Comedy or Musical
Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Sally Hawkins - Happy-Go-Lucky
Frances McDormand - Burn After Reading
Meryl Streep - Mamma Mia!
Emma Thompson - Last Chance Harvey

Television
Best TV Drama
Dexter
House
In Treatment
Mad Men
True Blood

Best TV Drama Actress
Sally Field - Brothers and Sisters
Mariska Hargitay - Law and Order: SVU
January Jones - Mad Menn
Anna Paquin - True Blood
Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Best TV Drama Actor
Gabriel Byrne - In Treatment
Michael C. Hall - Dexter
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Hugh Laurie - House
Jonathan Rhys Meyes - The Tudors

Best TV Comedy
30 Rock
Californication
Entourage
The Office
Weeds

Best TV Comedy Actress
Christina Applegate - Samantha Who?
America Ferrera - Ugly Betty
Tina Fey - 30 Rock
Debra Messing - The Starter Wife
Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds

(My picks in italic.)
For a full list of nominees, click here.

Billboard Goes To The Circus!

It's official, Britney Spears has topped the Billboard 200 Album Chart with her latest album "Circus" selling a whopping 505,000 it's first week!

This makes Spears the first artist to have four albums debut with 500,000-plus copies in the SoundScan era, which began in 1991. "Circus" is currently the sixth biggest album sales opener of the year!
Spears now ranks fifth among female artists for the most No. 1 albums, with her five chart-toppers trailing only Barbra Streisand (eight), Madonna (seven), and Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson (six apiece).

More Billboard Numbers tomorrow!

Review - "I Got You Dancing"

The worlds second most popular "chav" (behind Vicky Pollard) Lady Sovereign sophomore album "Jigsaw" is reportedly due out April 2009, but little is known about the album in general. The first material off the album "I Got You Dancing" is out now, and it's FREE!
The song is classic-Lady Sovereign, this time with a more electric feel. Lyrically it is similarly structured to her previous efforts, and makes for one cool track! Infact I'd say it's her second best song EVER (behind her cover of "Pretty Vacant")!

Score: 8/10

Download "I Got You Dancing" Here!

Update: "It's Not Me, It's You"

This is apparently the new cover of Lily Allen's soon to be released "It's Not Me, It's You", out February 9th 2009.
Not too bad, but c'mon Lily, you can do better!

"It's Not Me, It's You" Tracklisting:
1. "Everyone's At It"
2. "The Fear"
3. "It's Not Fair"
4. "22"
5. "I Could Say"
6. "Go Back To The Start"
7. "Never Gonna Happen"
8. "Fuck You"
9. "Who'd've Known"
10. "Chinese"
11. "Him"
12. "He Wasn't There"

Review - "Circus" (Single)

The second single taken off her anticipated sixth studio album "Circus", "Circus" is a stomping anthem in the making!
The song is great from start to finish, with everything a "pop/dance" song should be, easy on the ears and incautiously provocative. Labeling herself as the "ring leader", Britney takes us on an adventure into her world, seeming self aware of who she is and what she does.
Musically it strikingly similar to "Break The Ice", with a swift beat and a mixture of auto-tuned instruments with technical brilliance, that give this song a seemingly timeless feel. Anthem!

Score: 9/10

NZ Chart Beat.

Lady Gaga makes it five weeks in a row atop the New Zealand Singles Chart with her three-headed monster hit "Poker Face"!
There have been some slight changes in the top 5 this week, with rapper T.I.'s "Live Your Life" rising into the second spot and Basshunter flying into the #4 position with "Now You're Gone". The biggest mover this week goes to Beyonce with "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" rising to #5, up from #14 the previous week.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (8.12.08)

1. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (Universal)
2. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
3. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyMusic)
4. Basshunter "Now You're Gone" (WEA/Warner)
5. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" (SonyMusic)

The Cast of High School Musical rise one position to the #1 spot with their third release "High School Musical 3: Senior Year". Equally her previous album peak position is Miss Britney Spears, in this week at #8 this with her latest "Circus".

NEW Albums Out in '09

January
Kylie Minogue - "Boombox" (Jan. 5th)
Melanie B. - "Reimagined" (Jan. 19th)
A.C. Newman - "Get Guilty" (Jan. 20th)
Franz Ferdinand - "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" (Jan 24th/26th)

February
Keri Hilson - "In A Perfect World" (Feb _?)
Lily Allen - "It’s Not Me, It’s You" (Feb 9th)
Jennifer Lopez - "Still From The Block" (Greatest Hits) (Feb 10th)
Missy Elliot - "Block Party" (Feb 10th)
Timberland - "Shock Value: Volume 2" (Feb 14th)

March
Annie Lennox - "The Collection" (March 16th)
Kelly Clarkson - Fourth Studio Album (March 16th/17th)

1st Quarter
Eminem - "Relapse"
Eskimo Joe - Fourth Studio Album
Rob Thomas - "Cradle Songs"
Natalie Bassingthwaighte - "1000 Stars"

April
Lady Sovereign - "Jigsaw" (April 6th)
Annie - "Don't Stop" (April 27th)

More updates to come.

Still Relevant?

Are Fall Out Boy still relevant? I mean sure Pete Wentz just had a baby with Ashlee "flat line-career" Simpson, but other than landing in the gossip mags, what have they actually done lately?

After a career that boomed after the release of their third album "From Under the Cork Tree " in 2005, they seemed to become one of the best new acts out there! Their Pop/Punk/Rock sound was very in and saw them as one of the hottest acts to love! They followed up with "Infinity on High" in 2007, and peaked with their monster hit "This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race", along the way defining what was rock in 2007! But since then they have seemed to go down hill. The singles following "This Ain't a Scene..." didn't not live up to the hype, and after an extended break from the charts, their career seemed to flat line!

With their fifth album "Folie à Deux." (set for release December 16th), will it be enough to put them back in the spotlight? I'm not so sure. After hearing some of their new tracks, they seem a little lost! The first single off the album "I Don't Care" just popped up on the radio, and was pleasing enough, but didn't have that punch of it's predecessors. Even they knew it with the rushing of second single "What a Catch, Donnie". They just seem to disinterested in what they are doing, and it seems like this is one band heading for certain obscurity.

Still Relevant? Maybe.

SOS: C4

What happened to C4! Less than a year ago it was claiming to be a "Music Television" channel (yeah right), but it has apparently now "evolved" to be an "all-round entertainment channel"! Really?

You see i used to really like C4, with great shows such as "Special Features", "Intellectual Property" and the "New Releases show!
But then it started to show "MTV" shows, which wasn't so bad, but let's be honest, how many shows can you have about whiny girls just blinking all the time, or dating shows with irreverent washed up rappers/rockers darting trashy ho's tying to find "the one" but ending up split up which leads to (shocking) a second season to do the whole thing all over again!
The channel reached new lows recently when it started screening "Hogan Knows Best" and now i can't stand to watch it head towards termination!

There just seems to be no consistency! It still has some of it's music content ("Special Features"and "Select Live") which is great but it's once it hits 6PM that it just seems to fall apart. I mean who wants to watch repeats of "Punk'd" and "King Of The Hill"! We are then saved by the amazing "Family Guy" but then it's all so so from 7:30 onwards!
They do have some of the best shows on tv; "30 Rock", "Family Guy", "90210"; but with "Flavor of Love" and "Beauty and the Geek", the appeal is few and far between!
Then they get shows like "Girls of the Playboy Mansion" and "The Daily Show" which are good shows, but just have no place on C4! And what's with "Battle star Gallactica"! C4 just seems like TV3's rubbish bin (with "90210" being shifted after a poor run on TV3) and has no character to it!

So here's the deal: Revise, Revise and Make Cuts!
Get rid of the shit shows that belong on Skys the Box and fix your schedule! Great shows that they could get include "24", "Dollhouse" and "The Cleveland Show"! O and get rid of Sunday Night Movies and have your best shows repeat that weeks episode for catch ups!

It's not too late!

NZ Entertainment News

- Iconic Kiwi music chain Real Groovy is back from the brink! Although the Dunedin store closed, quick deals were reached for sale of the stores in Wellington and Christchurch. Today it was announced that the Auckland store will remain open after a group purchased the store.

- The Pussycat Dolls have announced that they will play one show in at the Vector Arena in Auckland on May 16, 2009 as part of their "Doll Domination Tour", with Lady Gaga set to open!

- Google NZ has released the list of the top most searched celebrities, with R&B crooner Chris Brown topping the list! The late Heath Ledger and Sir Edmund Hillary were in at #'s 5 & 7 respectively.

- Industrial rock act Nine Inch Nails are set to play one NZ show February 17th Vector Arena, in Auckland.

- MTV Networks New Zealand and SKY Television will launch Comedy Central (NZ’s first 24 hour comedy channel) on SKY Digital Channel 10, from April 1st 2009

And finally this week it's been 14 years since television's Goodnight Kiwi last turned out the lights and went to bed, but starting this week the iconic TVNZ character will be back on screen for summer!

Flight of the Conchords: Season 2

The official trailer for Season 2 of hit HBO Kiwi comedy show Flight of the Conchords has just been released online!

The show starring Kiwi comedians Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement looks set to air in America on cable network HBO in January.

The video shows McKenzie and Clement driving a car, then McKenzie shoots "criminals" while Clement drives the car.

Clement, who tries to talk up their show, is put off by McKenzie's gun, and tells him to "put it in the glove compartment".

"What about the criminals?" asks McKenzie.

"Well they don't like it either," says Clement.

F**k Yes: Lily Allen "The Fear"

The Lil-Sta is back! The first track to be taken off Lily Allen's second studio album ("It's Not Me, It's You") is one of her best tracks yet, 'The Fear"!
The video is a cracker, with lots of colour and a touch of elegance! Great return!
Score: 9/10

Whip It: Britney's Circus Video

Two words: VISUALLY STUNNING!
Score: 9/10

Grammy Nominees!

The 2009 Grammy Nominees have been announced, featuring a range of intriguing acts!

Record Of The Year
Adele - "Chasing Pavements"
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
Leona Lewis - "Bleeding Love"
M.I.A - "Paper Planes"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Please Read The Letter"

Album Of The Year
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida" Or "Death And All His Friends"
Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter III"
Ne-Yo - "Year Of The Gentleman"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - "Raising Sand"
Radiohead - "In Rainbows"

Best New Artist
Adele
Duffy
Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

Top Nominees!
Lil Wayne with 8, Coldplay with 7 and Kanye West, Jay-Z and Ne-Yo all with 6!

(For a full list of nominees visit Grammy.com)

Billboard Chart Beat 5/11

This week on the Billboard Charts it's all about Queen B and The King(?).

On the Hot 100, Queen B Beyonce takes over at #5 after T.I.'s impressive hold of that position for two months, with her latest "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"! New York sensation Lady Gaga continues her rise and lands in at #5 with her debut single Just Dance.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (04.11.08):

1. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (SonyBMG)
2. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
3. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyBMG)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. Lady Gaga "Just Dance" (Interscope)

On the Billboard 200, self professed "The Next Elvis",Kanye West, scores another #1 album with "808s & Heartbreak" selling an mildly impressive 450,000 copies in it's first week.
The Chart also featured another four big debuts of the week with
Guns N Roses debuting at #3 with "Chinese Democracy". Rapper Ludacris debuts this week in at #4 with "Theater Of The Mind" and Las Vegas rockers The Killers are in at #6 with their third studio album, "Day & Age".

NZ Chart Beat 1/12

Lady Gaga makes it four weeks in a row atop the New Zealand Singles Chart with her monster hit "Poker Face"!
A shift in the top 5 this week sees Kings Of Leon fly into the fifth position and rapper T.I.'s "Live Your Life" (featuring Rihanna) rise into the third spot. The biggest mover this week goes to Kiwi rapper Devolo with his first solo release "Too Shy" rising to #6, up from #38 the previous week.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (24.11.08)

1. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (Universal)
2. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyMusic)
3. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. Kings Of Leon "Use Somebody" (SonyMusic)

Guns N Roses rise one position to the #1 spot with their first release in almost two decades, the long awaited "Chinese Democracy". In at #2 this week is one of the most influential acts out there, The Killers with their third original album "Day & Age". The other big entry this week is obnoxious producer turned rapper Kanye West in at a dismal #15 with his latest release "808s And Heartbreak"! Who's the king now Kanye!

Review: Circus

"Womanizer" is an fire-cracker of a song from start to finish! Britney's vocals are both calm and sultry, and little fierce. A definite standout of '08 and of her career thus far! The second release off the album, "Circus", shows a different side from the previous track. Calling herself "the ring leader", Britney once again puts herself in a position of power, seducing you with her attitude and essence. Musically it strikingly similar to "Break The Ice", as it has an upbeat/futuristic sound, and showcases a sound that is very much her own! A sure fire club hit!

"Out From Under" introduces a more softer side to Britney. She speaks more personally, and unlike some of the higher-tempo tracks, she sings with very little digital assistance. This track that breaks expectations, and has a dreamy yet sophisticated pop feel to it. It gets even more addictive with every spin, and looks set to be her third release from "Circus". From the moment i heard "Kill The Lights" I loved it! It is Britney back at her sassiest, with rapper Danja proclaiming that she is now the "Queen of Pop"! A very catchy number which sounds like a club re-up of "Piece Of Me", but with a lot more aggression! Simply great!

"Shattered Glass" is a fun track which is once again all about "holding down the boys". Not quite as perfect as the other tracks, but does peak up at the chorus with her take on the word "gla-ass"! Not quite reaching album filler, but it does get daringly close (does get better with ever play though)! From one of the weaker tracks to the strongest by far, "If You Seek Amy" is very clever and very naughty track! Produced by Max Martin (responsible for "...Baby One More Time") this is one delectable track! The subject matter of the song Amy is a "naughty" girl who Britney is seemingly trying to find, but hidden behind this random subject matter is a very sinister chorus! You see, you think you're hearing "If You Seek Amy" but infact she is saying F.U C.K Me! Provoking? Yes! Releasable? Yes!

"Unusual You " is the definite find of this album, and threatens to take away the the title of the best track of the entire record! The song very smooth and very "Lazy Sunday" with a techno remix! What I love best about this track is that it is a soft dance track that encompasses a new and emerging style of dance music, which seems to be on the brink of major recognition. A very cool track and one that is a definite standout and ahead of it's time! "Blur" and "Mmm Papi" are two tracks on different ends of the spectrum. The first is a slow dance track with a flavour similar to "Early Mornin'" of her 2003 album "In The Zone". A very track with another "Lazy Sunday" feel. "Mmm Papi" is the second track that starts to feel like album filler! A fun and upbeat track that explores her relationship with the paps, yet it just doesn't seem to make a memorable statement like the other tracks. And the chorus is slightly annoying, but still a nice track.

"Mannequin" is a great track that definitely puts this record back on track! Britney once again reassured of herself, with this embracing a feisty side. It is a fun journey into the dance world that just seems to work! "Lace And Leather" is one of the tracks which definitely shows both past and future! A funky sugary pop track, with a great hook and catchy chorus, this track is nice. It steers us into the final stretch of the album which leads to the final track The simply sweey, "My Baby". This is a very raw and personal song that displays elements of "Everytime", and shows that first and foremost Britney is a singer! A touchy track that is beautifully crafted and leaves you with a complacent feeling afterwards! Stunning!

The only issue that I have with this album is that some of the Bonus Tracks are infact better than some of these tracks, but overall a solid album!

Score: 8.6/10

On Tour '09: The Black Seeds

Summer '09 is looking even better now, with a kiwi treasure The Black Seeds embarking on a 9-show Summer Tour!
The boys have been busy of late, releasing their fourth record "Solid Ground" and playing 22 shows as part of their European Album Launch Tour! Now with the release of their second single off the record, "Make A Move" (which btw is another amazing song!), the boys look set to help you groove the summer nights away!

Here are the tour dates:
Gisborne - Rhythm And Vines NYE - Wed. 31st December
Auckland - Big Day Out - Fri 16 January
Napier - Sun Lounge - Sat. 24 January
Lake Ohau - A.R.E.A 9 - Sat. 7 February
Marlborough Wine & Food Festival - Sat. 14 February
Timaru - South Canterbury Wine & Food Festival - Sun. 22 February
Dunedin - Otago University Orientation - Fri. 27 February
Matakana - The 2009 Bush Party - Sat. 28 February
(With Salmonella Dub, The Little Bushman, Sunshine Soundsystem and more)
Wellington - Homegrown - Sat. 14 March

Check these guys out if you can, they are one of the best live acts that I've ever seen!
Also check them out and get your tickets from their official Website and get their latest single "Make A Move" from iTunes!

The Circus Comes to X-Factor!

With her sixth studio album "Circus" out worldwide tomorrow, Miss Britney Spears rocked the X-Factor stage last night as part of her Mini- European promotion tour.
Performing on of this years best tracks "Womanizer", she delivered a standout performance, and even received a standing ovation form the audience and judges alike, including Mr Simon Cowell!

Check her out:



Full "Circus" review will be posted tomorrow!

Spotlight: Midnight Youth

Kiwi rockers Midnight Youth (M.Y.) have made it to the big time with the release of their third single, "The Letter".
Originally from Auckland, M.Y. formed in 2006 and released their debut single "Supernatural" which attained national airplay, and was followed up by their next release "A New Day". This track was good but just felt a little weak, but still did enough to ensure their continuing rise.
But 2008 has to be their year as they headed to New York to record their debut album in April/May of this year, which is set for release in early 2009.

Their third (and best) single "The Letter" was finally released in September. This track is very (very) tightly put together, and does everything it should; it shows off their great instrumentals and the very fitting vocals of lead singer Jeremy Redmore. It is highly catchy and feels at home amongst many of their contemporaries. They do run the risk of lack of originality but are forgiven as it's early days, but they will have to be more daring if they hope to establish themselves as more than just the "next big thing".

A very solid start from this Kiwi act and we are hoping for big things from them in the future! And after seeing them live last year i can definitely say M.Y. are a great live act, so if you get the chance go along and support them!

Score: 8/10

Check them out at their official Myspace page.

New Killers; Spaceman

With "Day & Age" finally released, The Killers return with single #2; "Spaceman". This track is more "Sam's Town" than "Hot Fuss" but is another great track from them none the less!
Instrumentally this track shows a more rock side than their previous hit ("Human") but is as confusing yet beautiful lyrically, as Flowers once again writes lyrics that are definitely original; and a little strange!
None the less this is a solid track, a little generic and more bland than their other stuff, but still, it's great to have them back! They're not ready for the supermarket playlist yet!

Score: 7.5/10

Check out everything-Killers at their official Website.
"Day & Age" review coming soon!

It's Gonna Be A Hot Summer!

This summer anthems keep rolling out, and the latest one to pop up on the radar is So You Think You Can Dance runner-up Rhys, and it's called..well... "Hot Summer"!
This track is a definite club track, with great bass and use of electrics, plus he his vocals finish off what is a really great track!
There's not really that much to say about this track, apart from expect it to be HUGE! It'll roar all summer long!

Score: 8.5

Check out Rhys on his official Myspace.

Song of the Week - In This City

Iglu & Hartly second single "In This City" is set to be one of the biggest hits this summer!
This song is simply quintessential summer music! The Californian (duh!) natives are a 5-piece Pop/Rap/Rock-New Wave act who emerged onto the scene this year and have been making their mark on the UK ever since. This song has "anthem" written all over it and encompasses their Californian-sun kind of music which draws similarities to fellow Californian stoners Shwayze & Cisco who's song "Buzzin" will forever be played all summers long! The fusion of rap and new wave/indie is definitely the "it" music of the moment!

Score: 8/10

Check out this song as many more off her debut album, "& The Boom", on their official Website or Myspace!

Billboard Chart Beat 28/11

This week on the Billboard Charts it's all about Queen B, Beyonce!

After occupying the top two spots for the last few weeks, T.I. still holds at #1 with "Live You Life featuring Rihanna" but slips to #2 with "Whatever You Like". Soaring in the #2 position this week is Beyonce with her latest single "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" whilst "If I Were A Boy" holds at #3.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (29.11.08):

1. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)
2. Beyonce "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (SonyBMG)
3. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyBMG)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. Katy Perry "Hot N Cold" (Capitol)

On the album chart, Beyonce scores her third #1 album with "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" selling an impressive 482,000 copies in it's first week.
The Chart also featured another three other big debuts of the week with Nickelback debuting at #2 with "Dark Horse". Another American Idol alum, this time winner, David Cook debuts this week, in at #3 with his self-titled debut album. Simon Cowell's successful multi-national vocal group Il Divo's "The Promise" debuting at #5.

New Zealand's Next Top Model

It's official, one of the biggest reality show franchises , Top Model, is coming to New Zealand this 2009!
A nationwide search for 13 young women to take part in the season, which "will include modelling assignments and challenges to prove they have what it takes to make it in the industry".
Also this week the Sara Tetro (who is one of NZ’s most successful and influential model and celebrity managers) was confirmed to host and judge, and will be joined by on the judges panel each week by ,Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Chris Sisarich.
Colin Mathura-Jeffree is an internationally successful model and actor and Chris Sisarich is a top photographer and former model.

This how could actually work in NZ a) it doesn't have that weird bitch Tyra Banks involved (what a mess), b) we have actually had some really good models come out of NZ, and c) hey, it can't be any worse than NZ Idol!

Bring on '09!

Britney on Rolling Stone Cover!

Yes, after picking up the pieces from her meltdown and a new studio album out NEXT WEEK, Pop Princess Britney Spears takes on the cover once again of mega-magazine, Rolling Stone!
Gracing the cover in the December 11th issue, Britney talks about everything in this exclusive interview which touches on both her personal and personal life!

Grab your copy when it comes out and also catch up on all things Twilight!

NZ Chart Beat 24/11

Still atop of the New Zealand Singles Chart with "Poker Face", Lady Gaga makes it three weeks in a row.
There has also been no change in the top 5 this week, with this weeks highest entry going to Beyonce with "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It" in at #32,her follow-up to her smash "If I Were A Boy" which is this weeks number two.

Here's how the top 5 look this week (24.11.08)

1. Lady Gaga "Poker Face" (Universal)
2. Beyonce "If I Were A Boy" (SonyMusic)
3. P-Money "Everything" (Dirty/Rhythm/DRM)
4. T.I. "Whatever You Like" (WEA/Warner)
5. T.I. feat. Rihanna "Live Your Life" (WEA/Warner)

No change atop theOalbum chart either, with The Feelers holding on to #1 with their greatest hits, titled "The Best: 1998-2008". In at #2 this week is legendary Guns & Roses with thier first album in almost two decades, the FINALLY released "Chinese Democracy", and in at #3 is Nickelback (er) with their latest "Dark Horse". Two other new entries are Dido in at #6 with her third album "Safe Trip Home", and a disappointing week for Beyonce's latest, "I Am... Sasha Fierce" which enters at an embarrassing #16!

Favourite New Song - Be The One

The Tings Tings latest offering "Be The One" is their best work yet!
This song is so damn good, its of medium pace but is so infectious that at the moment it's my Summer Anthem! Like all Ting Tings song its lyrically and instrumentality quite simple, but that is what has defined them as the Breakout Act of '08! There's not really much else to say about this track apart from that it just works and is a sure fire hit!

Score: 9/10

See them at the Big Day Out 2009 throughout January and February!

No Doubt Are Back!

Californian Rockers No Doubt have announced on their official website that they want to tour in 2009 while finishing their upcoming sixth studio album. The band who have an amazing back catalog, went on hiatus in 2004 (following Stefani's successful solo career) but have plans with plans to headline the Bamboozle 2009 festival (along with Fall Out Boy), 2009 may just be a big year for Stefani and the boys!

Try It, You May Like It!

New York Indie-Rockers Vampire Weekend came to my attention recently, and they're amazing! They first came onto the scene in 2007 with their debut single, "Mansard Roof" from their debut self-titled album, and wowed audiences and critics alike! Their follow-up "A Punk" was recently on the CW's monster teen-remake, 90210, and this song showed off Lead singer Ezra Koenig's unusual but somewhat charming voice and created a unique and uplifting sound! It also sort of reminds me of Sublime. But my favouite single from thew so far would have to be "Oxford Comma ". This cheeky track has some amazing instrumentals and mixes well with Koenig's cool voice. It's hard to describe this track cause it's...well...just random, but in a very good way!

Score: 8/10


American Indie-Rock outfit The Virgins formed in 2005 and the New Yorkers have been slowly rising ever since. Their 2008 EP release, "The Virgins", show cased some of the best Indie music that I've heard in ages! My favourite track would have to be "One Week Of Danger".
This track is soooooooo good and just so damn catchy!!! Lyrically and instrumentally it's 2:45 of pure bliss! This song is sort of like a new-age-indie anthem, with it being hard to resist the catchy chorus and electrifying verses! Definitely fit for success!

Score: 9.5/10

Check out both bands on their Myspaces, Vampire Weekend and The Virgins!