Alienhits loves... Where The Wild Things Are trailer!

First off, I love trailers. Period. There's nothing better than going to the movies and seeing the first glimpse a new film that you've been quietly wondering about for months. Where The Wild Things Are is definitely a film I've been anticipating for over a year, and the trailer that was released this week ratchets that anticipation up a dozen levels. It's perfect--from the visuals, to the music, to the composition. I only hope the movie's as good.
I'm a real sucker for these types of kid's movies... ones that appeal far outside their demographic and transport you to what looks more like a dream than anything else. There's a sense of wonder about them that you can't get with any other genre. My favorite kid's movie to date is the 2003 remake of Peter Pan. I'm hoping that this book-to-screen adaptation is up to that level. We'll see. For now, consider me absolutely enchanted.



Other 2009 movies I'm excited about with fantastic trailers:
Transformers - Revenge of the Fallen
Dragonball Evolution (stupid, ridiculous fun)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Star Trek

Terminator: Salvation

Public Enemies

Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince

(500) Days Of Summer

Måns Zelmerlöw - Saved Again

"One step closer, we're saved again"

I'm not the huge Måns fan that a lot of pop bloggers are, but I can always appreciate good pop music. His Cara Mia never really struck a chord with me (though to be fair I was all about the Ark that year), but his MF this year, Hope & Glory, was my favorite song he's ever released. The new album, just like the first one, varies greatly in quality. There are some strong tracks, some boring ones, and some irritating ones. In fact, I could probably combine both of his albums and make something really good. One thing that I like that he did this time around was record some dancier material. Musically, I think he's really got the potential to perch himself somewhere between Robbie Williams and September. it's all about the material. I mean, he's already got the looks and the vocals and certainly the popularity. But I can't help think that he's gotta get people to write some better songs for him. Regardless, Saved Again is one of my highlights from the new album. It's sorta a midtempo dance record... with a great, simple chorus.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

Bolland & Bolland - Ten American Girls

"I won't stop at anything to make my wildest dreams come true"

We're going back in time today, because I've just gotta post this song. It's been stuck in my head ever since I first heard it about two weeks ago. Bolland & Bolland (or just Bolland, outside of their home country) are a duo from the Netherlands. You'd probably know them best as the producers of Falco's 80's hit Rock Me Amadeus. Before that, though, they released quite a few pop albums, including a (pretty good) "pop opera" concept album that included their most well-known single, In The Army Now. Ten American Girls is from their next album, and probably their most poppy. It's an extremely jaunty sound for a song that's essentially about an orgy. As with most of their stuff, the production's impeccable. The video's pretty...um... interesting too. One thing's for sure: you hear this once, you'll be humming it later.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll

"Off with your head, dance 'til you're dead"

I'm delighted that an American indie group with as much influence as Yeah Yeah Yeahs has decided to dip their feet into synthier territory with their new album. It works wonders on the brilliant lead single Zero and a handful of other tracks (a couple of them b-sides). If only they'd been even more daring and modeled the whole album on this genre. To many American listeners, their new sound will seem refreshing and even innovative. Then there are those of us who've listened to Scandinavia's far-superior bands and artists who have been crafting amazing 80's inspired music for years now. Oh well, at least YYY's have put forth an effort. And it really does pay off on several tracks. If you haven't heard the single, watch the perfect video here. Similarly, album track Heads Will Roll sounds like the American counterpart to Norway's Surferosa. I heard this song on the radio the other day and it was an electric shock of energy in an otherwise boring college rock world. I really hope they push this sound even further on their next album.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here.)

Velvet - Come Into The Night

"I'm the guiding star that always shines for you"

I am absolutely in love with Velvet's new (finally released) album. The hyper-clubby type of dancepop that she records can be annoying when performed by a lesser artist, with lesser songs, but The Queen is about as consistent an album as you're going to find in 2009. The handful of brand new tracks are amazing (the giddy Radio Star, in particular), but I'm going to post an older track from the album today because I'm dangerously obsessed with it right now. Come Into The Night sounds a lot like the stuff Star Pilots have been recording lately: heavy on the synths and very 80's. Even for dancepop snobs (and that can sometimes include me), I think there's a good chance that this track will still be appealing. For one, it's performed with the vigor of a rock song. Modify the genre a little bit and this could just as easily have been recorded by the Galvatrons. It's got that huge, sci-fi disco sound to it--processed drums, surging synth riffs. But the thing that makes this song completely stand out from the others is the chorus. Just when you think it's going to head back into the verses, it explodes with one final, euphoric declaration.

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the album here.)