Top Chef's Tumble Towards an Emmy

What's funnier than Top Chef winning an Emmy? The fact that I rewinded this clip several times watching one of winning ladies trip over a man's apparent iPad in the middle of the aisle.

Vintage Hotties #1

Bruce Spingsteen

Margaret Cho + Andrew Bird

Here's Margaret Cho's first music video in support of her comedy album Cho Dependent (which along with Andrew Bird, also features guest appearances from Fiona Apple, Tegan & Sara, Ben Lee, Tommy Chong, Ani DiFranco and others).

Zola Jesus Channels Siouxsie

Check out the video to one of the year's best songs, "Night" by Zola Jesus.





And download Zola's EP Stridulum here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ngmmlniydj2

Robyn Honors Björk

Here's Robyn's decent cover of Björk's "Hyperballad" at the 2010 Polar Music Prize ceremony. Robyn nervously sang to the recipient, who was in the front row gazing on rather critically. 


The Polar Music Prize (created by ABBA lyricist Stig Anderson) is given annually, along with a cash grant, to outstanding musicians, composers, ect. Past recipients include Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, and Quincy Jones.

Stylish Suicide

Paul Newman

Marilyn Monroe

James Dean

Joni Mitchell

Angelina Jolie

Cat Power

Lady GaGa

Brad Pitt

James Franco

Robert Pattinson

Cher

Paul McCartney

Rita Hayworth

Susan Sarandon

Billie Holiday

Bette Davis

Joan Crawford

20 Years, 20 Albums

According to the chichi drum machine, the best albums released in every one of the past 20-or-so years are:

Doolittle by Pixies

Following their amazing debut Surfer Rosa comes another collection of dark surrealism, torture, and Biblical references.
1989

Violator by Depeche Mode

This synthpop masterpiece spawned such singles/staples as "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence."

1990

Loveless by My Bloody Valentine

The genre of shoegazing can give a great big hug to it's grandpa, Loveless.

1991

Bone Machine by Tom Waits

After five years without a studio release, Waits returned with this chain gang of songs knows as Bone Machine.

1992

Rid of Me by PJ Harvey

She didn't care if indie punk was a man's world, with Steve Albini she paved the way for other female noise-makers.

1993

Grace by Jeff Buckley

A modern classic, the first and last album from Buckley is the pinnacle of both singing and songwriting. Timeless.

1994

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins

The Pumpkins' most ambitious effort, Mellon Collie spawned several genres and emotions over its 28 tracks.

1995

All Eyez on Me by 2Pac

Released 7 months prior to his death, this album closed the book on the legacy of gangsta rap in the '90s. 

1996

Homogenic by Bjork

One of the best electronic albums of all time is actually an ode to Iceland and its dynamic and naturally abstract beats.

1997

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill

Widely revered as one of the best albums of all time, it opened the gates for many neo-soul artists to follow.

1998

I See a Darkness by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

Darkness fell on and influenced many in the modern folk world. Imagine Bon Iver without 'Prince' Billy.

1999

Kid A by Radiohead

Radiohead's move into electronic landscapes, it incorporated everything from experimental jazz to classical music.

2000

White Blood Cells by the White Stripes

The garage rock revival was in full swing when the memorable Lego-tastic video for "Fell in Love with a Girl" exploded. 

2001

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco

Jeff Tweedy and Co. offer up a psychedelically complex work of country-tinged songs. 

2002

Fever to Tell by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Depictions of lead singer Karen O drunkenly yelping on stage fits perfectly with the antics on this NYC band's debut.

2003

Van Lear Rose by Loretta Lynn

Jack White turns up the volume for this country legend and the result is astonishing. 

2004

Arular by M.I.A.

This politically-driven, sample-heavy debut from Sri Lanka rapper M.I.A. made everyone take notice.

2005

Back to Black by Amy Winehouse

Alcoholism, sex, and drugs = rock n' roll, right? Try a white Jewish girl who specializes in doo-wop. 

2006

New Wave by Against Me!

Against Me! proves that tightly constructed punk rock songs never go out of style.

2007

Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes

This self-titled debut had critics creaming their panties. Who knew baroque folk was so powerful?

2008

Middle Cyclone by Neko Case

With a voice so powerful it could possibly evoke a cyclone by itself, Ms. Case makes claim to the throne of alt. country.
2009

Publicity Stunt. Marina Abramovic's Rhythm O (1974)

One of my favorite performance art pieces, Rhythm O, by New-York based Serbian artist Marina Abramovic takes the term of "publicity stunt" to a whole other level.

In 1974 the fearless (the most perfect adjective to describe Ms. Abramovic) artist decided to put her fate in the hands of museum-goers. She had laid out 72 various items, which included a whip, scissors, a knife, and a gun along with one single bullet, onto a table with a sign that informed the public of the fact that there would be no consequences to their actions. For six hours the artist remained impassive during this truly impassioned work of art. During those six hours, the humanity of the on-lookers turned from cautious and modest to volatile and aggressive. She encountered rose thorns being thrust into her side, her clothes being cut, a rape attempt, and even someone raising the gun to her head. After those six hours, the artist calmly rose and started walking towards the spectators. They all ran like a flock of scared sheep.

A true testament to the depth of carnal humanity, Marina Abramovic showed the world what, with left with no consequence to an action, could be boiling under the surface of modesty and lawfulness.

2010's Women Who Rock (In Style)

Joanna Newsom

She started off looking like a pixie of the prairie, now

 she's modeled for Armani and snagged Andy Samberg 

with her ethereal looks and unique style.

Joanna released her magnum-opus Have One On Me earlier this year, 

cementing her a respectable place in songwriter history. 

Erykah Badu

Was it her clothing or lack thereof? I'm not really sure. 

Gone are the days of the headdresses she frequently fashioned, 

nowadays she'll sport her natural hair in the form of an overgrown afro 

or in long beaded braids. Funktional Art, her jewelry line, 

should debut later this year. 

Badu has released two controversial music videos so far this year (one in which she strips naked, the other where she's Bonnie to Rick Ross' Clyde) for Return of the Ankh. 

Alexis Krauss (Sleigh Bells)

Off-stage she's found in demure blouses and vintage skirts, 

on-stage this half of one of the year's most buzz-worthy bands can be seen 

sporting ripped t-shirts and skintight pink pleather pants. Wonderful, darling.

Sleigh Bells released their debut album, Treats, to rave reviews earlier this year.

Taylor Momsen

From a pretty polished Gossip Girl, to a pesty punk-rocker, Taylor Momsen

has gotten a lot of attention this past year for her transformation into the music world.

Taylor fronts the pop-rock group The Pretty Reckless, who just released their debut Light Me Up.

Kelis

Kelis was subject to a more interesting transformation from R&B dirty girl 

into electro dance-floor diva. Her video for "Acapella" depicts her as a 

jungle queen and a golden retriever amongst some Alaskan huskies.

Flesh Tone, Kelis' foray into dance music was released to favorable reviews this year.

Janelle Monae 

This generation's answer to a never-to-return Lauryn Hill

is super-freak Janelle Monae. Her signature tuxedo and

natural pompadour is just as endearing as her music.

The ArchAndroid, Monae's first full-length offering is

already a sure-shot #1 on many end-of-the-year lists.

Lady GaGa

Her love for high drama and haute couture 

has breathed life into the dying pop world. Kudos.

GaGa's Monster Ball Tour has been the highest-grossing tours of 2010. 

And maybe of all-time.